Although they are at a lower risk of death than other sections of the population, young people aged between 10 and 24 years face specific medical problems and conditions. As obesity and mental health struggles often have their roots in childhood and young adulthood, nurses need to be aware of them and understand how to improve patient outcomes.
Excelling in your specialism
The RN programs at Wilkes equip you with a solid understanding of general nursing, but you can move on to one of their MSN courses if you plan to specialize. You will gain skills that were not taught as part of undergraduate education and master the competencies required to be an expert in your field. Furthermore, once you have earned an MSN, you can train for nursing leadership roles in research, education, and administration by enrolling in a Ph.D. or DPD program. As a doctorate-level professional, you can work towards improving the lives of young patients for years to come.
Mental health
Mental health disorders can start in childhood or adulthood, but many cases can go unnoticed and untreated. Nurses provide support for young people in community settings and schools, giving people the ability to manage their condition and lead a happy life. Some of the methods they use include promoting family ties, ensuring the home environment is safe, and encouraging young people to seek professional help when they need it.
Accidents and injuries
With less life experience, youngpeople often take risks that older people would not. This can lead to them being involved in road accidents, whether pedestrians, drivers, or cyclists, and accidents involving water. As policy advisors and researchers, nurses can look into how road safety laws can be improved and how young drivers can be better advised on road safety. They may also advise government departments on the need for swim programsthat educate students about the dangers of wild swimming.
Nutritional deficiencies and unhealthy eating
Even before they become parents, young peoplecan be taught the importance of iron and folic acid for their physicalwell-being and that of their future children. Aside from this, nurses can help to instill healthy eating habits into young people that may last into adulthood. This could involve educating people in schools or other community venues or acting as dieticians to give nutritional advice to individual patients.
The role of a nurse in adolescent care
We go through processes that affect our physical appearance during childhood and adolescence, but we also experience physiological changes. It’s a vulnerable and challenging stage for many, but nurses can play a vital role in keeping young people safe. Drawing on their expertise, they can examine the risk factors that impact a person’s health, carry out assessments and develop more effective screening tools. Whether nurses are involved in research or primary care, their intervention and practical knowledge can contribute to more successful outcomes for future generations.
