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Vulnerable Populations in the Workplace

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Vulnerable Populations in the Workplace
Jennifer Hudson
NUR/440
October 15, 2012
Deborah Nallo

Vulnerable Populations in the Workplace
Change is a constant in the workplace. Policies are written and revised based on the situational needs of the organization and the workforce. A health care setting is unique in that it not only bases policies, reforms, and values on organizational needs and employee needs but also the needs of the very important clients, the patients. Guidelines exist to protect the safety and health of the patients and employees; they also exist to prevent injury, abuse, and to maintain costs and budget. However, change within an organization does not always have to happen at a senior level. An employee can recognize a need and set a course to raise awareness of this need with his colleagues and managers. According to Wells, Manual, & Cunning (2011, p. 784), “the ability to implement change requires the engagement of nursing staff and support in order to positively affect nursing outcomes.” Nurses are capable of identifying patient barriers to receiving quality care. Awareness of inequalities and barriers in a health care setting is important to reduce the incidence of disparity and create positive change for the patients and employees.
Disparity is a term used to “reflect differences in health care and outcomes among many groups” (De Chesnay & Anderson, 2012, p. 520). A vulnerable population is a group that has a higher risk of experiencing these disparities. Many populations are affected by disparities. Those most vulnerable are often identified as those who are racial or ethnic minorities, residents of rural areas, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (National Institute of Health, 2012). It is important as a health care worker to assess the workplace for barriers that may exist to prevent a

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