access to contraceptives.
LGBTQ Health
It is important to recognize that the LGBTQ community has to deal with a set of unique challenges, and professional nurses have a responsibility to address the needs of their clients. First of all, it is imperative to focus on reproductive issues. The needs of LGBTQ people are often overlooked due to stereotypes, and professional nurses should promote sex education and improve access to contraceptives. LGBTQ individuals are negatively affected by stereotypes, and nurses should seek to address some of the misconceptions to protect the needs of the group. Transgender affirming healthcare is a challenging issue because such efforts are often opposed by policymakers. It is the responsibility of healthcare professionals to address some of the misconceptions regarding transgender issues and ensure that LGBTQ individuals gain access to appropriate care. Access to healthcare services is another important factor that has to be considered. It is important to understand that LGBTQ individuals are reluctant to report their needs because of stereotypes and discrimination (CDC, n.d.). Thus, nurses should focus on the establishment of an environment that would make it easier to discuss the issues faced by the LGBTQ community. Supporting services are of utmost importance because LGBTQ individuals are negatively affected by employment inequality and similar issues. One may argue that the sixth essential is of utmost importance in this area because it is focused on the development and implementation of policies (AACN, 2011). LGBTQ individuals have to deal with a set of unique challenges, and nurses are provided with opportunities to participate in the development of policies. Nurses should examine the issues faced by the LGBTQ community and support the interventions that could help the individuals to address some of the challenges. The needs of the LGBTQ community are often overlooked, and nurses should analyze available research to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions.
