To facilitate change within a community, the nurse working as an effective change agent should:

Question

1. Inform community members how to effectively manage their health needs
2. Work with clients and groups to select alternative health care sites and treatments
3. Formulate decisions for individual clients regarding their health care options
4. Provide instruction in the way the community should address health issues

Answer 1

ANS: 2
As a change agent, the nurse seeks to implement new and more effective approaches to problems. The nurse creates change by working with and empowering individuals and their families to solve problems or to become instrumental in changing aspects affecting their health care. Telling com-munity members how to manage their health care needs may meet resistance. It also does not enable clients and their families to take responsibility for their health care. Making decisions for clients does not enable individuals to assume responsibility for their health care decisions. The community-based nurse acting as a change agent may be an excellent resource for health infor-mation to members of the community. Ultimately; however, the community members will take an active role to create change for themselves and will assume responsibility for their health care de-cisions.