Provide advocacy and leadership in the primary care setting that addresses the needs of culturally diverse populations, providers, and environments.
Outcome 1:
During my first semester in the primary care nurse practitioner (PCNP) program at Auburn University, I completed an assignment outlining gaps between disadvantaged and privileged groups, underlying social inequalities, and policies and interventions concerning the needs of culturally diverse populations. I chose to research and address barriers to those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) specifically concerning the veteran population. This activity allowed me to address barriers to care and formulate a plan to improve health outcomes for this population. Completing this assignment concerning special populations improved my understanding and will follow me in my practice as a nurse practitioner (NP). Click the link below to view my PTSD in the veteran population paper.
Additionally, in the final semester of my PCNP program, I completed the "Promoting Cultural and Linguistic Competency Self-Assessment Checklist," which is a series of statements that evaluates the nurse practitioner's cultural competency and linguistics in cultural practice. This self-reflection allowed me to critically analyze my strengths and weaknesses in these areas and formulate improvement plans. Click the links below to view the questionnaire and my reflective log:
During my PCNP program, I encountered several patients of culturally diverse populations. One example of a patient scenario was during my last semester when I completed a visit with an Asian male. He was at the clinic to review recent lab work and was found to have hyperlipidemia along with a high cardiovascular risk score. It was recommended to initiate medication therapy along with a heart-healthy diet. The patient stated that his culture involves consuming a high amount of carbohydrates, including rice and fried foods, and that he must eat any food his wife prepares. Until this encounter, I have never considered the Asian population's beliefs regarding food and its preparation. After discussing a tailored treatment plan for this patient, a plan was mutually made with respect for his culture and keeping his risk factors in mind. This is an example of how I portrayed advocacy and leadership in diverse patient populations.
I kept an Excel spreadsheet of each patient encounter tracking information such as gender, ethnicity, age, and case type. To view a summary of the various ethnic groups that I encountered throughout my clinical rotations, click below: