Nursing is mainly provided to individuals and families. It gets tricky for nurses to offer proper nursing to communities as a whole because they need to be aware of the communities’ dynamics. Early nurses found out that problems associated to health and their remedies lie in the organization of the community. Nurses have always been behind the growth and success of programs that promote health and prevent diseases. (Eigsti & Clemen-Stone, 2002).
No matter what length that a person goes to prevent an infection, there always exists a probability of getting infected. The good news is that human beings have the power to control these diseases, this, to a great extent depends on the available knowledge about the diseases, early detection, methods of protection among other factors. The community nurses use this information to educate and prevent diseases and promote health. Since early days of nursing they have incorporated these techniques in various programs. (Goodman, Frogg & Yarbo, 2005)
One of the programs advocated by the early nurses’ concerns cancer survivors. Although cancer could not be cured completely by then, the nurses advocated for ways of keeping the disease under control.
They advocated for extensive follow ups and therapy of cancer survivors. The nurses advised the public to go for checkups every now and then in order for the cancer to be detected in its early stages. If cancer is detected early, treatment can be administered early enough and the disease can be put under control. Therapy was also advocated for. Part of these programs is designed to help a patient come to terms with the disease they have. For instance, Judith bond Johnstone came up with a program called ‘I can cope’. This program merged psychological support with information. Many gatherings that targeted people that had cancer were organized. They were offered information concerning the emotional and mental effects of cancer. ( Goodman, Frogg, & Yarbo, 2005). The programs incorporated the whole community including the low income earners. In the present these techniques are still used. Early diagnosis of the disease is seen as the key to management of the disease. Doctors argue that one should test for cancer regularly. Support groups are also applicable even in the present. They serve to deal with the emotional trauma that comes with the diagnosis of the disease. (Smith & Maurer, 2005).
Oncology nurses are very vital in the smooth facilitation of the healing process as outlined above. Information on care of the wound, guidelines on exercise and how to deal with the after-effects of surgery are the priority of oncology nurses. ( Goodman, Frogg, & Yarbo, 2005). In addition, adequate emphasis on follow up by advising, arrangement of breast clinic appointments and counselling for those experiencing psychological difficulties are part of the practices required of an oncology nurse. (Hassey, 2004.) Another important advent in oncology advocated for and steered by oncology nurses is post-mastectomy care. This includes the events preceding and after procedures such as breast reconstruction surgery. These women need advice on the most appropriate and effective techniques to use. New techniques such as use of their own tissues such as from their abdomen, and also the availability of a group that accepts donation from patients who have received a tummy tuck can be availed by the oncology nurse. (Hassey, 2004.) These guidelines were advocated for and stipulated by the nurse leaders to try and improve service delivery and quality of living in the promotion of health.
In conclusion, these defined roles and practices have been widely accepted as the standards upon which the functions of an oncology nurse are defined and thus contributing to the promotion of health.
References
Eigsti, G., & Clemen-Stone, S. (2002). Comprehensive community health nursing: family, aggregate & community practice, New York: Elsevier Health sciences.
Goodman, M., Frogg, M., & Yarbo, C. (2005). Cancer nursing: principles and practice. California: Jones & Bartlett learning.
Hassey, K. (2004).Contemporary issues in breast cancer: a nursing perspective. New York : Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Smith, C., & Maurer, F. (2005).Community/public health nursing practice:health for families and populations. New York: Elsevier health sciences.