Role of the Public Health Nurse
Community Health Nurse
Clark defines community health as, “a synthesis of nursing knowledge and practice and the science and practice of public health, implemented via a systematic use of the nursing process and other processes to promote health and prevent illness in population groups” (2008, p. 5). Community health nurses look at the population to meet their specific health needs. They work with individuals, families, and groups to promote, preserve, and maintain the health of populations (Assessment Technologies Institute, 2010, p. 5).
Evidence of Community Nursing in Clinical
Emma:
An example of community health nursing that stood out to me was Mary's effort in helping a family learn more about epilepsy after their special needs daughter was diagnosed with the seizure disorder. Making matters more complicated, this was an Ethiopian family and the mother spoke no English and the father spoke only a little English. They had travel plans to go to Ethiopia for the summer and were leaving two weeks after their daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. Because of the unique case and the language barrier, Mary accompanied the family to their doctor’s appointment to ensure everyone was on the same page in regards to the girl’s medications and interventions in the event of a seizure. Mary developed an action plan (as LSN’s do for every child in the school in need of a health action plan to address a health need) from the doctor’s orders to be implemented in case she experienced a seizure at school. Mary not only ensured that this student had an accurate health plan and the parents were on board with it, but she also went above and beyond in educating the parents and teachers about epilepsy. Mary contacted the Epilepsy Foundation to set up an appointment with an educator and the parents to take place at Cornelia Elementary before the family left for Ethiopia for the summer. She also connected with a translator who agreed to come to the appointment at no cost to the family. Mary was able to empower this family by educating them and preparing them to handle their daughter’s seizures and promote her safety.
Marie:
The school nurse had many responsibilities when working with the community. The nurse collaborates with the student, families, and teachers, and social workers to develop individual’s plans of care for the students. The plan includes the orders from the child’s physician regarding any prescribed medications. This plan provides the parameters for the needs of the child and how they will be met during the school year. The nurse is working within the role of coordinator of care by gathering all parties involved to develop a plan of care. By developing the individualized care plans the nurse is aiming to meet the specific needs of the student body. The nurse also focuses on the whole student population by giving health promotion and illness prevention talks. The nurse will visit the classrooms to discuss the importance of hand hygiene and have the child demonstrate good hand hygiene care. This topic is especially important for children to know and understand so they can help prevent the transmissions of illness.
An example of community health nursing that stood out to me was Mary's effort in helping a family learn more about epilepsy after their special needs daughter was diagnosed with the seizure disorder. Making matters more complicated, this was an Ethiopian family and the mother spoke no English and the father spoke only a little English. They had travel plans to go to Ethiopia for the summer and were leaving two weeks after their daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. Because of the unique case and the language barrier, Mary accompanied the family to their doctor’s appointment to ensure everyone was on the same page in regards to the girl’s medications and interventions in the event of a seizure. Mary developed an action plan (as LSN’s do for every child in the school in need of a health action plan to address a health need) from the doctor’s orders to be implemented in case she experienced a seizure at school. Mary not only ensured that this student had an accurate health plan and the parents were on board with it, but she also went above and beyond in educating the parents and teachers about epilepsy. Mary contacted the Epilepsy Foundation to set up an appointment with an educator and the parents to take place at Cornelia Elementary before the family left for Ethiopia for the summer. She also connected with a translator who agreed to come to the appointment at no cost to the family. Mary was able to empower this family by educating them and preparing them to handle their daughter’s seizures and promote her safety.
Marie:
The school nurse had many responsibilities when working with the community. The nurse collaborates with the student, families, and teachers, and social workers to develop individual’s plans of care for the students. The plan includes the orders from the child’s physician regarding any prescribed medications. This plan provides the parameters for the needs of the child and how they will be met during the school year. The nurse is working within the role of coordinator of care by gathering all parties involved to develop a plan of care. By developing the individualized care plans the nurse is aiming to meet the specific needs of the student body. The nurse also focuses on the whole student population by giving health promotion and illness prevention talks. The nurse will visit the classrooms to discuss the importance of hand hygiene and have the child demonstrate good hand hygiene care. This topic is especially important for children to know and understand so they can help prevent the transmissions of illness.
