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COMMUNITY
HEALTH NURSING
CONCEPTS
OLFU I COLLEGE OF NURSING

Prepared by: Aida V. Garcia, MAN, RN

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Discuss important concepts of Community

Health Nursing.
Describe principles of community health
nursing.
Cite the distinguishing features of
Community Health Nursing.
Definition of
Community
Health Nursing
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Community Health Nursing according to

Jacobson:

▰ It is a learned practice
discipline with the ultimate goal
of contributing to the promotion
of client’s OLOF (Optimum
Level of Functioning) through
teaching & delivery of care
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Community Health Nursing According to

WHO:

▰ A special field of nursing that combines

the skills of nursing, public health & some
phases of social assistance & functions for
promotion of health, improvement of
social & physical conditions &
rehabilitation of illness & disability
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Community Health Nursing by American

Nurses Association (ANA).

▰ “Thesynthesis of nursing
practice & public health
practice applied to
promoting & preserving
health of the populations.”
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“
▰ Philosophy of Community
Health Nursing

”
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▰ A philosophy is defined as “a system of

beliefs that provides a basis for & guides
action.”
▰ A philosophy provides the direction &
describes the whats, the whys & the
hows of activities within the profession.
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▰ Philosophy:
According to
Margaret Shetland,
the philosophy of
CHN is based on the
worth & dignity of a
man
 Principles of
Community Health
Nursing
by Mary S. Gardner and
Cobb/Jones Leahy

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1.Community Health Nursing is

based on the recognized needs
on recognized needs of
communities, families, groups &
individuals.
2.The Community Health Nurse
must fully understand the
objectives & policies of the
agencies she represents.
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3. In Community Health
Nursing, the family is the
unit of service.
4. Community Health
Nurse must be available
to all.
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5. Health teaching is the

PRIMARY responsibility of
the Community Health Nurse

6.Community Health Nurse

works as a member of the
health team
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7. There must be provision for

periodic evaluation of
Community Health Nurse
services
8. Opportunities for continuing
staff education programs for
nurses must be provided by the
agency.
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9. The Community Health

Nurse makes use of available
community health resources
10. The Community Health
Nurse utilizes the already
existing active organization in
the community
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11. There should

be accurate
recording &
reporting in
Community Health
Nursing
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Features of
CHN
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Preventive
Approach
to health.
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It is characterized
by being
population or
aggregate –
focused.
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It is
developmental
in nature
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With existence of
prepayment mechanism for
consumers of community
health nursing services

Care for different levels of

clientele
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Different Fields of CHN

Community Health Nursing is considered broader & more

general specialty area that encompasses subspecialties
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1. Public Health Nursing

Seen as a subspecialty
nursing practice
generally delivered
within “official” or
government agencies.
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2. School Health Nursing

Aims to promote the health of
school personnel & pupil /
students.
It aims to prevent health problems
that could hinder students learning
& performance
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3.Occupational Health Nursing

Defined by American Association of
Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)

a specialty practice that focuses on

promotion, prevention & restoration of
health within the context of a safe &
healthy environment.
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3.Occupational Health Nursing

It includes prevention of adverse health
effects from environmental hazards.

It provides for & delivers occupational

health & safety programs & services to
clients.
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4. Mental Health
Nursing
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