In all aspects of life, “knowledge is power” is more than a saying. The more you know about any given factor, the better you’ll be able to conquer it. This couldn’t be more important in the healthcare landscape.
Research shows that individuals who know about preventative treatment measures experience better health outcomes. Patients with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis or even mental health conditions do much better when they have a degree of health literacy. Educated patients also experience fewer readmissions because they know the most effective ways to approach healing and why it’s so important to follow aftercare instructions.
Nurses, in particular, can serve as educational leaders if they have the right foundation. They are often the first line of communication in a care setting and thus have a powerful opportunity to educate patients.
In an online Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing program, nurses can learn more about empowering patients while expanding their career opportunities.
The Many Ways Nurses Provide Patient Education
Picture the following different scenarios:
- A nurse assesses a patient who has struggled with her weight but feels helpless to make strides.
- When visiting with a patient, the nurse detects certain hesitations surrounding home-life questions.
- Patients routinely question nurses about what services they are allowed via their insurance (or lack thereof).
- The geographical area a nurse serves is vulnerable to social determinants of health (SDoH).
- Elderly patients experience increased emergency room visits due to confusion about medication use.
- Patients struggle to adapt to new technologies implemented in healthcare settings, such as patient portals, electronic health records or patient-monitoring devices.
In each of the above, there are nurse-driven solutions. When supplied with a robust education, such as one earned in an MSN program, nurses expand their knowledge bae in multiple areas.
For example, the woman struggling with weight offers a perfect opportunity for MSN-prepared nurses to share diet and exercise best practices. Nurses may observe concerning non-verbal cues that they can then address or refer to the patient’s primary care provider (PCP). Understanding the significance of SDoH puts MSN-prepared nurses in a unique position to help alleviate those barriers to care.
Technology is becoming a staple in healthcare, yet not every patient can accept and adopt it. Nurses are the perfect resource for helping patients overcome technology-based barriers to care.
Per this Patient Empowerment Network article, “Healthcare tech is a teach-a-man-to-fish situation. If nurses educate patients on how to use the tools available to them, they will be better positioned to make valuable decisions regarding their own health.”
Communication + Collaboration = Better Patient Outcomes
Even if an MSN-prepared nurse has no exact answer, they can still advise their patients to confer further with a physician or other specialist. Unfortunately, it’s often difficult for patients to speak up on their own behalf.
Nurses can be the champion that changes that perception — and thus address any hesitant behavior. Patients often feel more comfortable disclosing information to their nurses. It seems “safer.” While still keeping confidentiality in mind, nurses have an encouraging voice advocating for patient-physician conversations. This type of communication-plus-collaboration provides a strong foundation for improved outcomes.
Ultimately, patient education allows individuals to take a more active role in the healthcare process — rather than a passive one. They can then feel empowered and more prepared to participate in the self-management of their health.
Patient Education Excellence Begins With Nurse Education
It’s understandable for nurses to be wary about taking on such an influential role in patient education. That’s where an instructional opportunity like Lamar University’s online RN to MSN program comes into play.
This comprehensive program equips nurses with the knowledge and skills to anticipate, recognize and treat illnesses and empower patients in their health journeys. Students will learn to implement advanced technology, nursing research and evidence-based practices to deliver optimal and efficient care.
Nurses also benefit from a robust approach to coursework, covering different tracks such as administration and education. Courses included in the RN to MSN Transition grouping prepare nurses for the more intensive work to come.
Depending on their preference, students can complete the program in as few as 36 months. Given the ample opportunities for MSN-prepared nurses, that’s time well invested.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online RN to MSN program.
