How do the definitions of health education and health promotion influence your nursing practice? Please provide an example if possible. 

Week 3 discussion: health promotion practitioners

The definitions of health education and health promotion are often times directly linked to a nurse’s practice. Health education is focused on the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to preventing illness or making healthy lifestyle choices, while health promotion focuses more on empowering individuals to make changes that will lead to improved outcomes. As such, nurses are well-positioned to provide valuable education and guidance in this area due to their comfort with discussing sensitive topics and ability to establish trust with patients.

For example, working as an OBGYN nurse I am frequently tasked with educating new mothers about the importance of breastfeeding for both mother and baby which can be a sensitive topic for some women who may not understand all the potential benefits associated with it. To do this effectively I must first provide accurate information regarding breastfeeding as well as discuss any concerns or barriers the patient might have so that she feels empowered enough to make an informed decision about what works best for her family. This process takes into account both aspects of health education and promotion – providing information as well as encouraging behavior change – which allows me to play a crucial role in helping my patients achieve better overall health outcomes over time.