It has been observed that there is a strong connection between the earning potential and the health of the children in a family. This connection is shared in multiple ways. Firstly, when the family head or heads are able to earn well, there is typically a positive and nurturing environment in the home. On the contrary, if the heads of the family are not able to earn well, it is common for the environment to become challenging and difficult to manage.
Parents who are not able to fulfill their financial responsibilities for their families can leave an impact on the mental health and physical health of the family members, particularly any vulnerable members such as children or any elderly members of the family who fall within the financial frame. The mental impact on all members of the family can ultimately impact their physical health as well as their prospects.
In many cases, they must cut back on nutritional food options and choose to provide unhealthy and quick meals for their children that are cost-efficient and not as nutritious. This way, they can save up for other necessities. However, in the long run, poor food choices make children susceptible to various health-related issues and eating disorders. They may also develop a poor immune system. As a result, they fall ill often, have a delayed growth rate, and are not able to perform as well as other children.
Similarly, many parents also choose to not send their children to school to save money. This may seem like something that does not have an immediate impact on the physical health of a child. However, it has a serious impact on the psychological wellbeing of a child. A child who is deprived of an education may show signs of poor confidence levels and an inability to communicate with people. They may also develop long-term psychological problems as they grow up. This is something that inevitably impacts their own ability to earn better in the future and live a healthy life. Moreover, children who do not go to school do not get the opportunity to play and grow with other children of their ages, and because their physical activity becomes restricted, it eventually starts to show in their physical health.
What is the role of family nurses in promoting financial wellbeing?
A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a nurse who treats individuals of all ages with fundamental medical treatments, particularly within a family setting. Conducting physical assessments, talking with patients about their past health records, obtaining and analyzing medical procedures, requesting and analyzing test results, making some diagnoses, and creating treatment strategies for a range of disorders are among their primary responsibilities. Additionally, a Family Nurse Practitioner educates individuals on lifestyle modifications, illness prevention and overall health promotion.
FNPs play a crucial role in the delivery of medical care by offering essential assistance to individuals of all ages and socioeconomic statuses. Some jurisdictions grant full clinical authorization to individuals in this capacity, which means that FNPs are not required to perform duties under the observation of any doctor or physician, unlike registered nurses.
FNPs provide access to services that can enhance the health of their patients and guarantee that they receive the necessary treatment in communities that have historically been underserved. Individuals can receive care from FNPs for the whole of their life. Some FNPs begin treating patients when they are infants and continue to provide care services for them until they reach adulthood. In order to better meet patients’ needs, FNPs can build lasting connections with them and can also take the time to understand them as individuals.
An FNP may not appear to be responsible for teaching families and children about financial management, but as it is something that can impact the health of a family and its members, it is definitely something that falls under the scope of their duties. FNPs are responsible for providing financial guidance under the holistic care that they provide to their adult and pediatric patients.
Holistic healthcare is a new-age concept in healthcare that is progressing at a rapid rate because it looks at the patient as a whole, addressing all facets of their health, rather than only treating a few particular symptoms or conditions. In order to attain optimal health, this approach emphasizes the need for harmony and equilibrium in one’s life, acknowledging the interconnection of both the mind and the body. With their extensive knowledge and experience, nurse practitioners are qualified to administer medicine, identify and treat a wide range of medical disorders, and offer general patient care. They are medical experts who combine clinical competence with a patient-centered methodology in a distinctive manner.
Strategies that FNPs use to promote healthy financial habits in families
FNPs play a crucial role in promoting financial literacy by incorporating it into routine healthcare discussions with the patients they see every day. They also provide beneficial information on how children and their families can develop a budgeting plan that will help them to save in the long run. Lastly, they give their patients access to financial assistance programs that can guide them further in how they can reduce their expenses.
When they offer this support, they ensure that the resources and tools provided to pediatric and adult patients are appropriate and culturally sensitive so that they are actually able to help families develop, maintain and apply financial knowledge. Lastly, FNPs use the strategy of collaboration with other organizations in a community so that they can collectively enhance the impact of the various financial education initiatives and create a strong support system for struggling families.
The long-term benefits of financial literacy for children’s health
There are many long-term benefits of instilling financial literacy in children. First and foremost, when children are taught how and why they need to save and reevaluate thir choices before spending, they become more responsible. Knowing the importance of earning and saving is a trait that helps children to break the cycle of poverty. Not only does financial literacy teach where to spend money, but it also teaches where it should not be spent to save. Moreover, it also highlights where the saved money can be used to benefit from it year after year. One such beneficial use is to teach children to spend on their own education if their parents are not able to pay for it. Education is a tool that can help to break the shackles of generational poverty and turn around people’s living conditions.
Another advantage of financial literacy is that children learn to make healthier choices. This is because with knowledge, families, and children themselves are able to make informed decisions. They learn to put their health and wellbeing before spending it on other things. For example, a child who is financially literate will most likely choose to buy an apple instead of a packet of chips because they will know that it is cheaper and more nutritious compared with the junk food options available on the market. However, developing this habit in children takes a lot of hard work from the FNP and commitment on the part of the child.
Another benefit of financial literacy is that people get to experience improved access to healthcare services. This is because families who are financially literate are better able to navigate the healthcare system. This in turn ensures that all members of the family, including the children, receive timely and appropriate medical care.
A major long-term benefit of financial literacy in families and children is that continuous knowledge about healthy financial habits eventually alleviates financial stressors, and promotes a well-managed, happier environment for children to grow up in. The main outcome of this positive change is that there is a significant improvement in how family members communicate among themselves. Due to this, children’s mental health is impacted positively rather than negatively.
For those to whom working within community and family healthcare is of interest, then aspiring FNPs can enroll in an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offered by a reputable university such as Wilkes University. At Wilkes, students can take an online FNP program to become equipped with the relevant skills. The program will aid students communicate effectively with patients, and ensure that patients receive the care they need. One particularly appealing aspect of the program at Wilkes is that it is run entirely online, which offers flexibility and accessibility for students.
Understanding the connection between finances and pediatric health
The financial situation of a family has a strong and direct effect on the children growing up in that home. It affects the ability of the children of such families to access healthcare whenever they are in need, purchase nutritious and wholesome foods, and live in sanitary conditions in healthy neighborhoods.
Moreover, financial constraints can prevent parents from sending their children to school. Eventually, children become deprived of various educational opportunities to which other children their age have easy access. As a result, they do not develop emotionally and cognitively. Collectively, all of these issues have a negative impact on the physical and psychological health of the children growing up in such families. It is important to highlight that children must also participate in extracurricular activities to develop confidence and a social identity, but many children lose these opportunities due to financial restrictions.
Financial stress is real and impacts children as much as it impacts adults. As highlighted above, financial stress can increase levels of anxiety and instill feelings of depression in children. This is because living in a house that is constantly struggling to make ends meet can affect a child’s mental health and development, which in the long term can lead to behavioral issues. Physically also, such children are more susceptible to developing illnesses and contracting infections due to a poorly functional immune system. Lastly, it can affect their relationship with one or both parents, which in the long run can also lead to suppressed and unresolved psychological issues that impact their ability to perform better as adults.
FNPs can benefit the lives of children tremendously
By seeking help from an FNP, families and children can benefit tremendously. Early introduction of financial concepts via FNPs aids in the development of children’s fundamental knowledge of financial management and saving. This knowledge sets the stage for responsible financial habits later in life. Early financial education helps children to develop their decision-making abilities. As a result, they can make wise financial decisions as they get older. Teaching children about money from a young age can contribute to a positive attitude toward finances, reducing the likelihood of financial stress and mismanagement in adulthood.
