Population Health for Nurses: Improving Community Outcomes

A nurse's field guide to improving health outcomes for distinct patient populations.This practical text is distinguished by its in-depth coverage of populations, ranging from opioid-addicted veterans to young children suffering from obesity. Focused on the educational needs of students in undergraduate and bridge programs, this book is grounded in evidence-based practice, in-depth content, and clinical case studies. Five sections address community-based health care, including home and rural health; school-based, primary, acute and long-term care; and medical homes and palliative care. Each section begins with an overview chapter addressing fundamental concepts, characteristic trends, expenditures, and critical considerations. Subsequent chapters provide descriptions of varied patient populations, relevant care settings, and examples of the RN's role within each setting. Chapters conclude with a case study illustrating a day in the life of a typical nurse, which includes assessing for and evaluating present symptoms, demographic information, social and environmental determinants, and medical background. Chapters also encompass advocacy and policy roles, care access, emergency preparedness, and community resiliency. Key Features: Focuses on students in undergraduate and bridge programs Specific examples and context using "population of interest" approach Exposes nurses and future nurses to a multitude of diverse work settings Case studies written from the nurse's perspective Addresses current medical issues among populations with emphasis on practical content application Grounded in evidence-based principles Clinical reasoning exercises, Q&As with rationales, Instructor's Guide, and Power Points