Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

An occupational health nurse developing a workplace wellness program is operating at which level of practice?

1. Individual/family

2. Systems

3. Community

4. Government

The correct answer is: Systems

When developing a workplace wellness program, the occupational health nurse is engaging at the systems level of practice. This level focuses on the broader organizational structure and the policies that govern the workplace environment. By creating a wellness program, the nurse aims to influence and improve the health of employees as a collective group, which involves understanding how the workplace system as a whole impacts individual health outcomes. Operating at this level means considering factors such as organizational health policies, workplace culture, and health promotion strategies that can be implemented across the entire workforce. This is distinct from the individual/family level, which would focus on healthcare needs and interventions for specific individuals or families, or the community level that emphasizes interventions aimed at larger population groups, such as neighborhoods or towns. The government level would involve public health initiatives or regulatory frameworks, rather than targeted workplace programs. Therefore, focusing on system-wide changes and promoting overall employee wellness reflects the nurse's role at the systems level.