RN's as Health Coach?

Whispera, MSN, RN · May 16, 2011

For about 5 years, my job title was Wellness Nurse Counselor. It was for those I worked with as well as clients who came into the business and at another site. I even did some research on it that showed it helped people increase positive health habits as well as improved depression and some other health problems.

I think it will be a growing role for nurses, but will also be one of the first to be "downsized" since it's seen as a bit of fluff when there are budget issues. That's why I'm not in the job anymore.

Katillac, RN · May 16, 2011

Actually, this role does have viability. As more organizations, especially insurance companies, are using metrics to drive claims risk management there is more evidence that intervention in the form of education, coordination of care and coaching patients into compliance is saving money. I work for an independent company who hires nurses to perform the service for insurance compnies and self-insured plans. Our company is growing by lepas and bounds; when money gets tight we are even more valuable because we save so much money and we can prove it!

tewdles, RN · May 16, 2011

This the role that primary care nurses often fill. Those nurses follow the patient through the spectrum of life and offer education and intervention based upon the nursing process.

As physicians employ fewer and fewer RNs in their office settings, those roles must be filled elsewhere...lest the health behaviors and outcomes of the patients suffer.