Employee health nurse counselor roles in the hospital setting

Abstract

While hospitals, over the past several decades, have provided options for health care to their employees, these services, with few exceptions, usually have followed a medical model. Health promotion activities have often been relegated to other departments. Consistent recognition that hospital employee health is indeed occupational health still needs to be reinforced by practitioners. Credibility within the institution and the profession will be enhanced as evolving standards of practice, professional networking, and pressure from accreditation bodies and federal agencies stress quality assurance standards. It is an exciting time to be involved in hospital employee health. The challenges in the Year 2000 Health Objectives for the Nation provide many opportunities to affect employee health, as well as public health interests. The employee health nurse must strive to promote the roles of the nurse as counselor within the hospital and to achieve the goals of health promotion and disease prevention while providing care for the caregivers.