Health

How nursing roles have adapted to changes in healthcare

Published

2 years ago

July 18, 2023

Nursing is a long-established, challenging, and fulfilling area of employment that has grown, diversified, and transformed over centuries.

Adjusting to nursing positions can be triggered by many factors, from population growth to the introduction of new treatments and systems.

This article explores a few of the ways in which the duties of nurses have been adapted to the changing healthcare landscape.

How have medicine and healthcare changed in recent years?

To be as effective as possible, healthcare providers must develop their practices and processes in response to the needs and requirements of their patients and the wider society in which they operate.

This is applicable at a range of levels. For example, the Department of Health & Human Services may implement changes across the US based on country-wide trends, while state governments will collect their own data and may adjust the focus of local healthcare providers based on independent findings.

After all, there is no one-size-fits-all healthcare program, and different states tend to face different challenges depending on factors such as localized population growth and structures, the environment, the economy, and typical lifestyles.

More challenges are becoming apparent as time goes on. For example, the US population is aging, we continue to experience the effects of COVID-19, and medical costs continue to rise at an unsustainable rate without always being reflected in the quality of patient care.

As a result, many leaders within the healthcare industry are pushing to improve access to healthcare and reduce the strain on their systems by emphasizing on prevention and education.

In addition, population growth, paired with an aging society with increasingly complex needs, has led to a requirement for versatile and expertly developed care coordination.

Furthermore, as technology has progressed and automation has become more integrated within the medical industry, the collection and analysis of data have grown in importance. After all, accurate and up-to-date data informs automated systems for the best possible results.

How have these changes affected nursing?

Nursing roles have long combined practical, “front-line” patient care with administrative work and the preparation of treatment plans. The day-to-day work of nurses continues to adapt significantly based on the following changes.

Financial management

In response to challenges relating to the affordability of care, the tasks of budget management and financial data collection and analysis are often absorbed into nursing jobs.

In many cases, leading nurses now have a key role in the development and administration of healthcare systems, packages, or “bundles”, often with set or tiered costs, that exist to help patients with lower incomes access care.

The financial management aspects of nursing may also serve to reduce costs for the provider without affecting the quality of care.

Streamlining services

Nurses are often tasked with the combined duties of “front-line” patient healthcare provision, the creation of ongoing treatment plans, the education of patients and their families, and the general administration of processes.

As such, they are very well-placed to take core roles in the creation of improved, streamlined services that may include:

Ongoing patient support, signposting, and compliance assurance
Coordination of various treatments to improve efficiency and avoid duplication, overprescribing, needless repetition, and adverse effects caused by certain interacting drugs
Quality control
Collection and analysis of data that will ensure continued improvements to services

Prevention and education

Some nurse roles now focus more heavily on the causes of injury and illness, with the aim of preventing the emergence or worsening of certain conditions within at-risk patients.

Many will then use this information to educate patients and their caregivers so that problems may be prevented, improving their long-term prognosis and reducing the need for them to engage in complex or costly treatments in the future.

As the medical industry shifts its focus more towards “wellness” than “illness”, nurses are likely to take a leading role when it comes to the provision of care in the community and the empowerment of patients when it comes to self-care and ongoing quality of life.

Adaptability and dynamism as a nurse

Specific nursing roles may vary from employer to employer, and certain duties are regularly revised for optimum efficiency.

Therefore, a dynamic approach to both daily work and wider roles is a must for nurses. Many higher education courses, including MSN-FNP Masters’s degrees, prioritize dynamism and adaptability as part of their educational offerings.

The fact that institutions like the University of Indianapolis offer online nursing degrees means that future healthcare specialists can further their careers and gain new qualifications in a flexible, accessible manner—an approach that is dynamic in and of itself.

New systems and processes are constantly being introduced by healthcare providers in response to the needs of the wider community. As a result, it is often nurses who are tasked with adopting these effectively within short periods of time.

This is equally one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of this career path.

Health

Addressing Common Myths About Vitamins and Supplements by Amanda Tirado

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Michelle Langton

The wellness industry is filled with advice about vitamins and supplements, but not all of it is accurate. Many people rely on supplements for better health, but misunderstandings about how they work can lead to wasted money or even potential harm. Amanda Lorena Tirado, founder of Xmy, is passionate about educating people on making smarter supplement choices. Her company focuses on high-quality, effective products while also giving back to the community through charitable initiatives. Let’s break down some of the most common myths about vitamins and supplements so you can make informed decisions.

One of the biggest myths is that all supplements work the same way, regardless of how they are taken. Many don’t realize that traditional pills and capsules have to pass through the digestive system, where stomach acid and enzymes break them down. This can significantly reduce the amount of nutrients your body actually absorbs.

In contrast, oral strips and liquid supplements enter the bloodstream more quickly, making them more effective. For example, vitamin B12 is often poorly absorbed in pill form but is much more bioavailable in liquid or sublingual forms. Choosing the right delivery method is just as important as picking the right supplement.

Another misconception is that supplements can replace a healthy diet. Many people assume taking a daily multivitamin covers all their nutritional needs, but that’s not how the body works. Supplements are designed to support a good diet, not replace it. Whole foods provide more than just vitamins, they contain fiber, antioxidants, and other compounds that work together to benefit your health.

For example, an orange does not just offer vitamin C. It also provides fiber, flavonoids, and other nutrients that enhance absorption and support overall health. Research has shown that people who get their nutrients from food rather than supplements tend to have better long-term health outcomes. So while supplements can help fill gaps in your diet, they should not be your primary source of nutrients.

Many people also assume that if a supplement is labeled as “natural,” it must be better and safer. But that’s not necessarily true. The term “natural” is often used as a marketing tool rather than an indicator of quality or safety.

Some natural ingredients can be harmful, especially in high doses or when mixed with certain medications. On the flip side, some synthetic nutrients are actually more stable and easier for the body to absorb. The key is to choose well-researched, high-quality supplements from reputable brands rather than relying on misleading labels.

Another dangerous myth is that taking more vitamins means better health. Some believe that if a little is good, a lot must be even better, but that’s not always the case.

Certain vitamins, especially fat-soluble ones like A, D, E, and K, can build up in the body and become toxic if taken in excessive amounts. Too much vitamin A, for example, can lead to liver damage, while excessive vitamin D can cause kidney problems. Even water-soluble vitamins like B-complex and C can cause side effects in very high doses, such as nerve issues or stomach discomfort. Moderation is key when it comes to supplementation.

At Xmy, the focus is not just on convenience, it’s about real impact. The company is committed to producing supplements that prioritize effectiveness and bioavailability. But their mission goes beyond selling products.

Misinformation about supplements is everywhere, but being informed is the best way to make smarter health choices. The way a supplement is absorbed matters as much as what’s in it. A balanced diet is still the foundation of good health, and more vitamins don’t always mean better results.

Xmy is changing the way people think about supplements. Amanda and her team believe that good health is not just about what you take, it’s about making informed choices and supporting brands that genuinely care. Choosing the right supplements means choosing a brand that stands for something bigger. With Xmy, you are not just improving your health, you are supporting a company that is making a real difference.