Here is another of my videos with nurses. This one one how they deal with stress
   • Nurses Dealing With PTSD Can Help You...  

In rural America nurse practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in providing healthcare services, particularly in areas where there may be a shortage of physicians or limited access to medical care. Nurse practitioners are highly trained advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are qualified to provide a wide range of healthcare services.

I was hired to make a one hour documentary on “Great American Nurses". This is a clip taken from that film.

Uncovering Mona in the rural Appalachian community of Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania was a fortunate find. She proved to be extraordinary, as were her patients. Among other things, she and other nurse practitioners in rural area do a variety of things a doctor might be responsible for.

Primary Care: Nurse practitioners are often necessary as primary care providers, offering services such as health assessments, diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses and injuries, preventive care, and health education.

Chronic Disease Management: NPs can manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and others by monitoring patients, adjusting medications, providing education on lifestyle modifications, and coordinating care with other healthcare providers.

Prescriptive Authority: Depending on state regulations, nurse practitioners may have prescriptive authority to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, within their scope of practice.

Minor Procedures: Nurse practitioners can perform minor procedures such as suturing wounds, removing sutures, administering injections, and conducting basic diagnostic tests.

Women's Health Services: Many nurse practitioners specialize in women's health and provide services such as well-woman exams, contraceptive counseling, prenatal care, and menopausal management.

Pediatric Care: NPs can provide pediatric primary care services, including well-child visits, vaccinations, and treatment of common childhood illnesses.

While nurse practitioners have a broad scope of practice and can provide many of the same services as physicians, there are some limitations. For instance, nurse practitioners may not have the same level of training or expertise in certain specialized areas, and there may be restrictions on their ability to perform certain procedures or prescribe certain medications depending on state regulations.

The medical care situation in Appalachia faces several challenges in accessing healthcare, including a shortage of healthcare providers, limited access to healthcare facilities, and higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity compared to the national average. Additionally, socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lack of health insurance, and transportation barriers can further complicate access to medical care for residents of Appalachia.

Appalachian poverty is a complex issue influenced by various factors including historical economic challenges, limited job opportunities, lack of access to quality education and healthcare, and environmental factors such as coal mining and its decline. Poverty rates in the Appalachian region tend to be higher than the national average, with some areas experiencing severe economic deprivation.

Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, is considered part of Appalachia, particularly the southwestern region. The poverty level and rural nature of Mount Morris shares many characteristics common to other parts of Appalachia, including economic challenges, limited access to resources, and a rural landscape.

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David Hoffman filmmaker