Community Health Nursing and scope of Community Health Nursing

Community is a group of people living together in a geographical boundaries sharing the same culture, value and environment. Community Health depends upon the way of people living and their environment. So, health program are formed and implement according to the health needs of particular community.
 

Community

  • Community is defined as a group of people who live together in a geographical area sharing common beliefs, interest, needs and organization.
  • Community is defined as social group living in localized area under the same values and interest, it's members know each other and interact with each other. Due to same habitat they share common norms, values and Social institute.

Characteristics of Community

  • Community is group of people
  • Sharing same geographical area
  • Having good communication with each other
  • Sharing common culture, feeling, language, attitude value Norms, social interaction.
  • Sharing common life style.

Community Health Nursing

Definition

  • Community Health Nursing is a field of nursing that focuses on the health care of individuals, families, and groups within a community. Its goal is to promote and protect the health of the population by identifying health needs, preventing illness, and providing care in settings outside of hospitals, such as homes, schools, and community clinics.
  • A community health nurse is a nurse who works in the community to promote, maintain, and restore health of individuals and families.
  • "Community health nursing is the practice of nursing that combines public health and nursing science to provide care and improve the health of people in their communities."

Public Health

Definitions

  • "The science and art of preventing disease prolonging life and promoting health and efficiency through organized Community efforts".

  • Public health refers to all organized measures (whether public or private) to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life among the population as a whole.(WHO)

Public Health Nursing

Definition

  • Public Health Nursing is a branch of nursing that focuses on protecting and improving the health of populations through organized community efforts, with major emphasis on disease prevention, health education, and public health programs.
  • A public health nurse is a nurse who applies nursing and public health principles to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities.

Different between public health Nursing and community health Nursing

Aspect Community Health Nursing Public Health Nursing
Definition A field of nursing that focuses on the health care of individuals, families, and groups in a community setting. A nursing specialty focused on promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences.
Scope Individuals, families, and specific groups within a community. Entire populations or communities.
Approach More individualized care within the context of the community Population-based approach with emphasis on prevention and health promotion.
Focus Curative, preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative care. Primarily preventive and promotive care.
Setting  Homes, schools, clinics, community centers. Government and public health departments, policy-making bodies, and public institutions.
Goal Improve the health of individuals and families within a community. Prevent disease and promote health on a broader, population-wide scale.
Activities Home visits, health education, immunizations, basic treatment. Disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, policy development, community-wide education.
Collaboration Works with families, local agencies, and community leaders. Works with government bodies, NGOs, and public health professionals.

Scope of Community Health Nursing

The scope of Community Health Nursing  includes a wide range of roles and functions aimed at promoting, protecting, and maintaining the health of individuals, families, and communities.
The roles and responsibilities of a community health nurse depend upon:

  • Type of community/area (rural, urban, slum, tribal)
  • Position held by the nurse
  • Health needs of the population
  • Political, legal, and administrative policies of the area

The major roles and functions are explained below:

  1. Care provider
  2. Researcher
  3. Collaborator
  4. Leadership role
  5. Controller and evaluator
  6. Direction and coordination
  7. Organizer
  8. Planner
  9. Change agent
  10. Advisor
  11. Advocator
  12. Educator
  13. Observer

1. Care Provider

  • Provides comprehensive nursing care to individuals, families, and groups.
  • Includes preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care.
  • Offers services like maternal and child health care, immunization, home care, and basic treatment.

2. Researcher

  • Identifies community health problems through surveys and studies.
  • Participates in health research and data collection.
  • Uses research findings to improve nursing practice and community programs.

3. Collaborator

a. Works in coordination with:-

  • Doctors
  • Health workers
  • Social workers
  • NGOs and community leaders

b. Ensures teamwork and integrated health services.

4. Leadership Role

  • Acts as a leader in health programs and community projects.
  • Guides and motivates health workers and volunteers.
  • Helps in achieving community health goals.

5. Controller and Evaluator

  • Supervises health services and activities.
  • Evaluates effectiveness of health programs.
  • Ensures quality and standards of nursing care.

6. Direction and Coordination

  • Directs health activities according to health policies and programs.
  • Coordinates between different departments and health agencies.
  • Avoids duplication of services.

7. Organizer

  • Organizes health camps, clinics, outreach programs, and campaigns.
  • Mobilizes community resources.
  • Encourages community participation in health activities.

8. Planner

  • Assesses community health needs.
  • Plans health programs based on priorities.
  • Develops short-term and long-term health plans.

9. Change Agent

  • Helps the community to adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyles.
  • Introduces new ideas and practices.
  • Motivates people to accept change for better health.

10. Advisor

1. Provides guidance on:

  • Nutrition
  • Hygiene
  • Family planning
  • Disease prevention

2. Advises individuals, families, and community leaders.

11. Advocator

  • Acts on behalf of individuals and vulnerable groups.
  • Supports community rights related to health care.
  • Helps people access available health services and schemes.

12. Educator

1. Conducts health education programs.
2. Teaches about-

  • Personal hygiene
  • Nutrition
  • Sanitation
  • Prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

3. Promotes self-care and healthy living.

13. Observer

  • Observes community health conditions and environmental factors.
  • Detects early signs of disease outbreaks.
  • Reports health problems to higher authorities.

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