The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the members of the United Nations in 2015 for the purpose of promoting health and well-being in the world. The goals determine the priorities and targets that are associated with the principle of universal care, and they also affect the practice of nurses (Dossey et al., 2019). The overall impact of the SDG initiatives on the development of health and care services in communities is positive because of the authorities’ and healthcare providers’ focus on reaching the related outcomes (Huston, 2019). The SDG and linked initiatives and programs work to affect specific health determinants and improve the quality of life of people all over the globe.
A community nurse can directly influence the realization of the SDGs, especially with a focus on Goal 3. This goal is associated with ensuring that all people of all ages can lead healthy lives. Nurses play a critical role in promoting the well-being of community members while providing high-quality care, support, education, and treatment. The first way to support the SDGs is to guarantee that all community representatives are aware of these goals and services to be provided by nurses and healthcare professionals for the purpose of improving individuals’ health (Osingada & Porta, 2020). The second way is to apply the principles of holistic care in their everyday practice in order to address not only Goal 3 but also other goals in the initiative (Dossey et al., 2019). As a result, a nurse can deliver care and education to address such important issues as malnutrition or inequality, for example. When referring to the SDGs in their practice, nurses can offer more appropriate plans for patients at the community level.
References
Dossey, B. M., Rosa, W. E., & Beck, D. M. (2019). Nursing and the sustainable development goals: From Nightingale to now. The American Journal of Nursing, 119(5), 44-49. Web.
Huston, C. J. (2019). Professional issues in nursing: Challenges and opportunities (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Osingada, C. P., & Porta, C. M. (2020). Nursing and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a COVID‐19 world: The state of the science and a call for nursing to lead. Public Health Nursing, 37(5), 799-805. Web.