Definition Common Words used in Community Health Nursing

1. Community
 a collection of people who interact with one another and whose
common interests or characteristics form the basis for a sense of
unity or belonging (Allender et.al, 2009).
 a group of people who share common interests, who interact with
each other and who function collectively within a defined social
structure to address common concern (Clark, 2008).
 a group or collection of individuals interacting in social units ns
sharing common interests, characteristics, values and goals (Maurer
and Smith, 2013).

2. Health 
 a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 1947).

3. Public Health: OCEOD

 The science and art of preventing disease prolonging life and
promoting health and efficiency through:
 organized community effort for the sanitation
 control of communicable diseases
 education of individuals in personal hygiene
 organization of medical and nursing services for the early
diagnosis and preventive treatment of disease
 development of social machinery to ensure everyone a
standard of living adequate for the maintenance of health, so
organizing these benefits as to enable every citizen to realize
his birthright to health and longevity. (Dr. Charles-Edward 
Winslow, 1920)

4. Community Health
 It is the environmental, social, and economic resources to sustain
emotional and physical well being among people in ways that
advance their aspirations and satisfy their needs in their unique
environment (WHO).
 The health status of a community and the organized
responsibilities of public health, school health, transportation, safety
and other tax-supported functions with voluntary and private
actions to promote and protect the health of local populations
identified as communities (Green and Ottoson, 1999).

5. Public Health Nursing

  It is the practice of nursing in national and local government health
departments and public schools.
 It is community health nursing practiced in the public
sector (Standards of Public Health Nursing in the Philippines, 2005).
 It is the practice of promoting and protecting the health of
populations using knowledge from nursing, social and public health
sciences (American Public Health Association, 1996).

6. Community Health Nursing

 It is service rendered by a professional nurse to communities,
groups, families and individuals at home, in health centers, in
clinics, in schools, and in places of work for the promotion of
health, prevention of illness, care of the sick at home, and
rehabilitation (Ruth B. Freeman)
 A synthesis of nursing practice and public health applied to
promoting and preserving the health of the populations.   The
focus of community health nursing: (1) prevention of illness,
(2) promotion of health and (3) maintenance of health.  (American
Nurses Association, 1980).
 It is the synthesis of nursing knowledge and practice and the
science of public health, implemented via a systematic use of the
nursing process and other processes to promote health and
prevent illness in population groups (Clark, 2005).

Standards of Public Health Nursing Practice - ANA, 2007

 Standards of Care: Standards 1 - 6
 Standards of Professional Performance: Standards 7 - 15

Standards of Care: APOPIE

1. Assessment
 The PHN/CHN collects comprehensive data relevant to the health
status of the community.

2. Population diagnosis and priorities

 The CHN/PHN analyzes the assessment data to determine the
population diagnoses and priorities.

3. Outcomes identification
 The CHN/PHN identifies expected outcomes for a plan that is
based on population diagnoses and priorities.

4. Planning
  The CHN/PHN develops a plan that reflects the best practices by
identifying appropriate strategies, action plans, and options to
attain expected outcomes.

5. Implementation: CHCR
 The CHN/PHN implements the identified plan by partnering with
others.
a) Coordination - coordinates programs, services and other
activities to implement the identified plan
b) Health Education and Health Promotion - employs multiple
strategies to promote health, prevent diseases and ensure a
safe environment for the community.
c) Consultation - provides consultation to various community
groups and officials to facilitate the implementation of
programs and services.
d) Regulatory Activities - identifies, interprets and implements
public health laws, regulations and policies

6. Evaluation
 The CHN/PHN evaluates the health status of the population/
community.

Standards of Professional Performance: QEPCCERRL

7. Quality of Practice
 The CHN/PHN systematically enhances the quality and effectiveness
of nursing practice.

8. Education
 The CHN/PHN attains knowledge and competency that reflects
current nursing and public health practices.

9. Professional Practice Evaluation

 The CHN/PHN evaluates one’s own nursing practice in relation to
professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes,
rules and regulations

10. Collegiality and Professional Relationships

 The CHN/PHN establishes collegial partnership while interacting
with representatives of the population, organizations and health
and human service professionals.
 Contributes to the professional development of peers, students,
colleagues and others.
11. Collaboration
 The CHN/PHN collaborates with representatives of the population,
organizations and health and human services professionals in
providing for and promoting the health of the population.

12. Ethics
 The CHN/PHN integrates ethical provisions in all areas of practice.

13. Research
 The CHN/PHN integrates research findings in practice.

14. Resource Utilization Population

 The CHN/PHN considers factors related to safety, effectiveness,
cost and impact on practice and in the planning and delivery of
nursing and public health programs, policies and services.

15. Leadership
 PHN provides leadership in nursing and public health.

Roles, Responsibilities, Functions and Competencies of CH Nurse

Role
 is a sociological concept which refers to the behavior prescribed &
expected of all who perform certain functions.
 A individual assumes a role in different circumstances.

Various Roles of a Community Health Nurse: HPC HCCCC TTRRP

1. HEALTH MONITOR
 Detects deviation from health of individuals, families, groups, and
communities through contacts/visits with them
 Monitors more effectively concepts of illness among family
members.

2. PROVIDER OF CARE TO THE SICK and DISABLED

 Provides direct nursing care to sick or disabled in the home, clinic,
school, or workplace.
 Develops the family’s capability to take care of the sick, disabled, or
dependent member.

3. COORDINATOR OF FAMILY SERVICES

  The nature of health problem requires services of other disciplines
nurse.
 Coordinates with individuals, families, and groups for health related
services provided by various members of the health team
 Coordinates nursing program with other health programs like
environmental sanitation, health education, dental health, and
mental health

4. HEALTH EDUCATOR
 Health education is one of the most frequently used intervention
by the nurse.
 Initiates the use of tri-media (radio/TV, cinema plugs, and print ads)
for health education purposes.

5. COUNSELOR
 giving support to personal problems

6. CLIENT/ PATIENT ADVOCATE

 intercedes and pleads the cause of another (client/patient)

7. CHANGE AGENT
 Motivates changes in health behavior in individuals, families,
groups, and communities that also include lifestyle in order to
promote and maintain health

8. COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
 Stimulates and enhances the community’s participation in planning,
organizing, implementing and evaluating health programs &
services.
 Motivates and enhances community participation in terms of
planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating health services
 Initiates and participates in community development activities

9. TEAM MEMBER
 as member of a health team

10. TRAINER, SUPERVISOR, MANAGER

 Identifies and interprets training needs of the RHMs, Barangay
Health Workers (BHW), and hilots
 Conducts training for RHMs and hilots on promotion and disease
prevention
 Conducts pre and post-consultation conferences for clinic clients;
acts as a resource speaker on health and health related services
11. RESEARCHER
 Plans and conduct of nursing & related studies that contribute to
the improvement of nursing & health services.
 Participates in the conduct of survey studies and researches on
nursing and health-related subjects
 Coordinates with government and non-government organization in
the implementation of studies/research

12. ROLE MODEL

 Provides good example of healthful living to the members of the
community

13. PLANNER/PROGRAMMER
 Identifies needs, priorities, and problems of individuals, families,
and communities
 Formulates municipal health plan in the absence of a medical
doctor
 Interprets and implements nursing plan, program policies,
memoranda, and circular for the concerned staff personnel
 Provides technical assistance to rural health midwives in health
matters

Responsibility
 the obligation to perform duties, tasks or roles using sound
professional judgement and being answerable for the decisions made
in doing this.
 A nurse who is considering expanding their scope of practice should
realize that this will involve greater responsibility.

Responsibilities of a Community Health Nurse

1. Providing care to the sick
2. Maintaining healthy environment
3. Teaching
4. Identify the needs and referring the clients/patients for service
5. Preventing and reporting neglect and abuse
6. Advocating
7. Collaborating
8. Participating in professional development activities
9. Engaging and ensuring quality nursing research
Functions of A Community Health Nurse
Function
 a set of activities and tasks expected of a person by virtue of his
position or role in the society.
Activity
 is a combination of specific tasks whose fulfillment leads directly to the
performance of a function.

Task
 is a piece of work assigned or done as part of one's duties.

“Activities” and “Tasks”

 are units of a function

Function: Assess the physical & mental health status of clients and their
family in a depressed area.

Activities Tasks
Data Gathering Inspect home environment
History Taking Conduct interview/home visit
Assessment of nutritional status of Obtain weight, meal plan etc.
children

Competencies of A Community Health Nurse

COMPETENCY
 the ability to do something successfully or efficiently

COMPETENCE
 quality of being functionally adequate in performing the tasks and
assuming the role of a specific position

1. Technical Skills
2. Human Relations Skills
3. Communication Skills
4. Teaching Skills
5. Management Skills
Competency Standards in Community Health Nursing
1. Safe and quality nursing care
2. Management of resources and environment
3. Health education
4. Legal responsibility
5. Ethico-moral responsibility
6. Personal and professional development
7. Quality improvement
8. Research
9. Records management
10. Communication
11. Collaboration and Teamwork