NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health

NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and headings in the paper, as outlined by Chamberlain University.

How to Research and Prepare for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the Chamberlain University library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the Chamberlain University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last 5 years and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next, create a detailed outline of the paper to help you develop headings and subheadings for the content. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health

In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”

How to Write the Conclusion for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically, and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319

Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.

NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health Instructions

State of Virginia

Family nurse practitioners often care for older adults as they experience changes in functional health. Assessments may reveal that clients are unsafe in their current environment or that they may require additional assistance to remain at home. Carefully read the questions below and address each in your initial post. Have a look at NR602 Week 1 Discussion: Addressing Social Impacts on Marginalized Women.

1. Application of Course Knowledge: Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.
   1. Discuss the laws in your state related to the nurse practitioner’s (NP) role and responsibility in creating and signing advanced directives (ADs). Indicate if the NP can independently complete AD documents or a physician is required to sign or cosign the documents.  
   2. Consider clients you’ve encountered in practicum (or in your practice as a registered nurse). Identify at least ONE client who may have benefited from a referral to hospice or palliative care. Indicate why this client would have benefited from these services. Describe how as an NP you might approach the conversation with the client. 
   3. Discuss at least TWO recommendations you have for improving palliative and hospice care access to vulnerable and underserved populations in your community.  

NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Functional Health Example

Functional Health Discussion

Role of Family Nurse Practitioners in Signing Advanced Directives

Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Virginia play a vital role in healthcare, particularly in the creation and implementation of advanced directives (ADs). Under Virginia law, Nurse Practitioners have the authority to autonomously complete advance directive (AD) forms, such as living wills and durable powers of attorney for healthcare (Virginia Board of Nursing, 2023). They have the ability to encourage conversations with patients regarding end-of-life choices, offer relevant information, and verify the accuracy of these documents in reflecting the patient’s desires. Physicians are not obligated to endorse or co-sign advance directive paperwork that has been filled out by nurse practitioners. This enables Nurse Practitioners to actively participate in end-of-life care planning, aligning with their comprehensive approach to patient care.

Identifying Clients Who Could Benefit from Hospice or Palliative Care

During my nursing practicum in Virginia, I encountered a patient who would have greatly benefited from a referral to hospice or palliative care. The client in consideration was an elderly patient who had a medical background of cystic fibrosis (CF) and a propensity to be admitted to the hospital frequently as a result of exacerbations. Despite numerous attempts to help, the client’s condition worsened, leading to a considerable loss in their overall health and ability to operate. The client faced difficulties in performing basic tasks necessary for everyday life, such as showering and moving around, and their overall well-being was gradually declining.

As an NP, I would converse with this client by adopting a caring and empathic approach. I would initiate a patient-centered discussion, emphasizing the importance of their well-being and respect throughout this challenging phase of life. I would provide details regarding hospice and palliative care services, elucidating how these specialized programs can alleviate symptoms, enhance quality of life, and ensure the preservation of individual preferences. The discussion would center on collaborative decision-making, where the care plan would be guided by the client’s values and objectives, ensuring it aligns with their preferences.

Recommendations for Improving Palliative and Hospice Care Access

A comprehensive strategy is essential to improve the availability of palliative and hospice care for disadvantaged and marginalized communities in Virginia. Two fundamental suggestions encompass community engagement and education, as well as cultural proficiency training. Implementing community outreach initiatives is crucial for enhancing public awareness of the benefits of palliative and hospice care (Shalev et al., 2018).

Healthcare professionals ought to engage in collaborative efforts with community organizations, local clinics, and faith-based institutions in order to effectively reach communities that lack adequate access to healthcare services. These initiatives should strive to educate healthcare professionals and the general public on the importance of initiating early conversations about end-of-life care, advanced directives, and the accessibility of palliative and hospice services. Through the distribution of information and active communication, barriers to accessing these crucial services can be lessened.

Healthcare providers, particularly NPs, should undergo thorough training in cultural competency. This training would equip them with the necessary skills to gain a deeper understanding of the heterogeneous values, beliefs, and cultural nuances exhibited by patients from diverse backgrounds (Nair & Adetayo, 2019). A strategy that is attuned to cultural sensitivities is crucial for overcoming any cultural and language barriers that might prevent communities from accessing palliative and hospice care. Moreover, healthcare organizations should actively pursue diversity in their personnel to guarantee that patients from diverse groups are understood and served effectively.

References

Nair, L., & Adetayo, O. A. (2019). Cultural competence and ethnic diversity in healthcare. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open, 7(5). https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002219

Shalev, A., Phongtankuel, V., Kozlov, E., Shen, M. J., Adelman, R. D., & Reid, M. C. (2018). Awareness and Misperceptions of Hospice and Palliative Care: A Population-Based Survey Study. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 35(3), 431–439. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909117715215

Virginia Board of Nursing. (2023). Virginia Board of Nursing – Laws & Regulations. Virginia Board of Nursing. https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/PractitionerResources/LawsRegulations/