Health Nursing

Public Health is the science and art of protecting and improving the health of the communities through education, promotion of healthy life styles and research for disease and injury prevention. Public Health helps improve the health and well being of people in local communities around the world also works to prevent problems before they occur. Public health nursing is a specialized form of registered nursing that combines nursing and public health principles.According to the American Public Health Association, the primary focus of public health nursing is improving the health of the community as a whole rather than just that of an individual or family. Public health nursing is sometimes called a type of community health nursing. Some experts use the terms â€Å"public health nursing† and â€Å"community health nursing† interchangeably. Public Health Nursing provides health promotion, disease prevention, and intervention and support services to women, children, youth an d families living in the Capital Region.Services are provided to individuals, families, groups and communities in homes, schools, health units and community setting Community health nursing a field of nursing that is a blend of primary health care and nursing practice with public health nursing. The community health nurse conducts a continuing and comprehensive practice that is preventive, curative, and rehabilitative. The philosophy of care is based on the belief that care directed to the individual, the family, and the group contributes to the health care of the population as a whole.The community health nurse is not restricted to the care of a particular age or diagnostic group. Participation of all consumers of health care is encouraged in the development of community activities that contribute to the promotion of, education about, and maintenance of good health. These activities require comprehensive health programs that pay special attention to social and ecologic influences a nd specific populations at risk. Basic Principles of CHN 1. The community is the patient in CHN, the family is the unit of care and here are four levels  of  clientele: individual,  family,  population  group (those who share common characteristics, developmental stages and common exposure to health problems – e. g. children, elderly), and the community. 2. In CHN, the  client is considered as an ACTIVE partner NOT PASSIVE recipient  of  care 3. CHN practice  is  affected by  developments in  health  technology,  in  particular, changes in society, in general 4. The goal of CHN is achieved through multi- sectoral efforts 5.CHN is a part  of health care system and the larger human services system. Specific Responsibilities of a Nurse, spelled by the implementing rules and Regulations of   RA 7164 (Philippine Nursing Act of 1991) includes: †¢ Supervision and care of women during  pregnancy, labor and puerperium †¢ Performance of int ernal examination and delivery of babies †¢ Suturing lacerations in the absence of  a physician †¢ Provision of first aid measures and emergency care †¢ Recommending herbal and symptomatic meds†¦etc.In the care of the families: †¢ Provision of primary health care services †¢ Developmental/Utilization of family nursing care plan in  the provision of care In the care of the communities: †¢Community  organizing  mobilization,  community  development  and  people empowerment †¢Case finding and  epidemiological investigation †¢Program planning,  implementation and evaluation †¢Influencing executive and legislative individuals or bodies concerning health and development. Responsibilities of CHN be a part in developing an overall health plan, its implementation and evaluationfor communities   †¢provide quality nursing services to the three levels of clientele †¢maintain  coordination/linkages  with  oth er  health  team  members, NGO/government agencies in  the provision of  public health services †¢ conduct researches relevant to CHN services to improve provision of health care †¢ provide opportunities for professional growth and continuing education for staff  development; http://www. answers. com/topic/public-health-nursing#ixzz2Do73aZIE