Health

How nursing roles have adapted to changes in healthcare

Published

1 year ago

July 18, 2023

Nursing is a long-established, challenging, and fulfilling area of employment that has grown, diversified, and transformed over centuries.

Adjusting to nursing positions can be triggered by many factors, from population growth to the introduction of new treatments and systems.

This article explores a few of the ways in which the duties of nurses have been adapted to the changing healthcare landscape.

How have medicine and healthcare changed in recent years?

To be as effective as possible, healthcare providers must develop their practices and processes in response to the needs and requirements of their patients and the wider society in which they operate.

This is applicable at a range of levels. For example, the Department of Health & Human Services may implement changes across the US based on country-wide trends, while state governments will collect their own data and may adjust the focus of local healthcare providers based on independent findings.

After all, there is no one-size-fits-all healthcare program, and different states tend to face different challenges depending on factors such as localized population growth and structures, the environment, the economy, and typical lifestyles.

More challenges are becoming apparent as time goes on. For example, the US population is aging, we continue to experience the effects of COVID-19, and medical costs continue to rise at an unsustainable rate without always being reflected in the quality of patient care.

As a result, many leaders within the healthcare industry are pushing to improve access to healthcare and reduce the strain on their systems by emphasizing on prevention and education.

In addition, population growth, paired with an aging society with increasingly complex needs, has led to a requirement for versatile and expertly developed care coordination.

Furthermore, as technology has progressed and automation has become more integrated within the medical industry, the collection and analysis of data have grown in importance. After all, accurate and up-to-date data informs automated systems for the best possible results.

How have these changes affected nursing?

Nursing roles have long combined practical, “front-line” patient care with administrative work and the preparation of treatment plans. The day-to-day work of nurses continues to adapt significantly based on the following changes.

Financial management

In response to challenges relating to the affordability of care, the tasks of budget management and financial data collection and analysis are often absorbed into nursing jobs.

In many cases, leading nurses now have a key role in the development and administration of healthcare systems, packages, or “bundles”, often with set or tiered costs, that exist to help patients with lower incomes access care.

The financial management aspects of nursing may also serve to reduce costs for the provider without affecting the quality of care.

Streamlining services

Nurses are often tasked with the combined duties of “front-line” patient healthcare provision, the creation of ongoing treatment plans, the education of patients and their families, and the general administration of processes.

As such, they are very well-placed to take core roles in the creation of improved, streamlined services that may include:

Ongoing patient support, signposting, and compliance assurance
Coordination of various treatments to improve efficiency and avoid duplication, overprescribing, needless repetition, and adverse effects caused by certain interacting drugs
Quality control
Collection and analysis of data that will ensure continued improvements to services

Prevention and education

Some nurse roles now focus more heavily on the causes of injury and illness, with the aim of preventing the emergence or worsening of certain conditions within at-risk patients.

Many will then use this information to educate patients and their caregivers so that problems may be prevented, improving their long-term prognosis and reducing the need for them to engage in complex or costly treatments in the future.

As the medical industry shifts its focus more towards “wellness” than “illness”, nurses are likely to take a leading role when it comes to the provision of care in the community and the empowerment of patients when it comes to self-care and ongoing quality of life.

Adaptability and dynamism as a nurse

Specific nursing roles may vary from employer to employer, and certain duties are regularly revised for optimum efficiency.

Therefore, a dynamic approach to both daily work and wider roles is a must for nurses. Many higher education courses, including MSN-FNP Masters’s degrees, prioritize dynamism and adaptability as part of their educational offerings.

The fact that institutions like the University of Indianapolis offer online nursing degrees means that future healthcare specialists can further their careers and gain new qualifications in a flexible, accessible manner—an approach that is dynamic in and of itself.

New systems and processes are constantly being introduced by healthcare providers in response to the needs of the wider community. As a result, it is often nurses who are tasked with adopting these effectively within short periods of time.

This is equally one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of this career path.

Health

What Sets Why Not Natural Supplements Above Other Supplements Companies in the U.S.

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo courtesy of Why Not Natural

By: Georgette Virgo

In an industry plagued by minimal regulation and questionable practices, Why Not Natural Supplements sets a new standard in transparency and scientific excellence. Founded by chemical engineer Kelin Marquet, this female-owned supplement company challenges the status quo with clean and effective formulations backed by rigorous research.

Why Not Natural Supplements’ outlook on supplement creation contrasts starkly with many competitors in the $50 billion U.S. dietary supplement market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require pre-market approval for supplements, which leaves consumers vulnerable to potentially ineffective or harmful products. Why Not Natural Supplements has implemented stringent self-imposed standards that go far beyond regulatory requirements.

“We’re on a mission to educate consumers about what a supplement should look like,” says Kelin Marquet. “As a mother of three, I’m motivated by creating supplements that I feel comfortable giving to my own family.”

A Science-First Approach to Supplement Formulation

Why Not Natural Supplements’ commitment to scientific integrity begins with its founder. Marquet’s background in chemical engineering informs every aspect of the company’s product development process.

“I use my background and strong understanding of science to pore through research articles and choose active ingredients that work – not cheap substitutes you usually find in supplements,” Kelin Marquet explains.

This science-first perspective extends to the company’s use of bioavailable forms of nutrients and its emphasis on third-party testing. Why Not Natural Supplements rigorously tests every product—including their best-selling Organic Vitamin D3 Liquid Drops with K2, 4-in-1 Magnesium Complex, Liquid Vitamin A (10,000 IU) with Coconut MCT Oil, and many others—for purity and potency. This practice sets the company apart in an industry where such thorough quality control is far from standard.

Transparency and Clean Formulations

Why Not Natural Supplements’ transparency is evident in its viewpoint on ingredient selection and labeling. The company maintains a list of ingredients that will never appear in its products, including artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, and common allergens.

“It’s not just about what’s in a supplement – it’s essential what’s not in it, too,” Marquet emphasizes. This philosophy extends to the company’s use of clean, minimalist formulations that avoid unnecessary fillers and additives.

The company provides consumers with clear, accurate information about each product’s contents. This level of transparency is rare in an industry where, according to the National Institutes of Health, supplement labels may not always accurately reflect the product’s contents.

Kelin Marquet emphasizes that each product formulation undergoes rigorous scientific scrutiny, with every ingredient serving a specific, research-backed purpose. “We don’t just throw ingredients together because they’re trendy,” Marquet explains. “Every component in our formulas is there for a reason, in its most bioavailable form, and at the optimal dosage.”

Education and Consumer Empowerment

Why Not Natural Supplements’ mission extends beyond creating high-quality supplements to educating consumers about supplement quality and safety. The company uses its social media platforms and website to provide in-depth information about ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, and the science behind its formulations.

This educational outlook is particularly crucial in light of the rapid growth of e-commerce in the supplement industry. As online sales platforms capture an increasing market share, the traditional role of natural and specialty retailers as information gatekeepers is diminishing. Why Not Natural Supplements is stepping into this gap, providing consumers with the knowledge they need to understand dietary supplements and find one that best fits their needs.

“We’re not just selling supplements,” Marquet states. “We’re empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their health by showing them exactly what goes into each formula and why.”

In an industry where regulation is minimal and quality can be inconsistent, Why Not Natural Supplements stands out as a company committed to raising the bar through its science-based method, commitment to transparency, and focus on consumer education.

“Our goal is to change how individuals see natural supplements,” Marquet concludes. “We believe that by prioritizing quality, efficacy, and transparency, we can help consumers reclaim their health and trust in their supplements.”