HO: The Public Health Nurse

The Public Health Nurse

 Uses nursing skills in the application of public health functions and social assistance
within the context of public health programs designed to promote health and prevent
diseases

 must be professionally qualified and licensed to practice

 must possess personal qualities and “people skills” that makes a difference in the lives
of the people

Qualifications of PHN positions:

1. BSN

2. RN

3. MA in Public Health / MAN major in CHN Admin and Supervision

4. 3-5 years experience as PHN

Public Health Nurse Functions:

1. Management Function – she organizes the nursing service of the local health agency.
Executes planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling.

** In whatever setting, the PHN is trained to lead and manage.

Program Management: She is responsible for the delivery of the package of services
provided by the program to target clientelle.

2. Supervisory function – formulates a supervisory plan and conducts supervisory visits to

implement the plan.

- she is the supervisor of the midwives and other auxiliary health workers in the
catchment area.

- identifies with the supervisee ant issue or problem encountered and addresses
them accordingly. If it is a technical matter like a breach in the procedure or established
protocol, coaching is immediately instituted.

- if problems or issues identified needs further capacity enhancement or

training for the supervisee, then the nurse arranges for the conduct of this training

3. Nursing Care Function – caring for individual, families and communities towards health
promotion and disease prevention.
 - Home visit is one of the activities of the PHN, a visible manifestation of her
caring function.

- Uses her K & S in the nursing process.

- Referral of patients to appropriate levels of care is done when the PHN

discovers health problems that are outside the scope of nursing practice but require attention.

4. Collaborating and coordinating function – care coordinators for communities and their
members. Bring activities systematically into proper relation or harmony with each
other.

- establishes linkages and collaborative relationships with oyher ht

professionals, gov’t agencies and the private sector, NGOs, people’s organizations to address ht
problems.

5. Health promotion and education function –

Advocate creation of a supportive environment through policies and re-engineering of

the physical environment for healthier actions.

- Provide clients with information that allows them to make healthier choices
and practices.

- Recognize cues from the client that indicate a need to learn.

6. Training function – initiate formulation of staff development and training programs for
midwives and auxiliary workers.

- Evaluates training outcomes.

- Participates in teaching, guidance and supervision of student affiliates for their

RLE in the community setting.

- Community organizing is a means of mobilizing people to solve their own

problems.

7. Research function – conducts research and utilizes findings in her practice like disease
surveillance

Disease surveillance – it is a continuous collection and analysis of data of cases and

deaths. It has 2 purposes:

a. To measure the magnitude of the problem

b. To measure the effect of the control program.

* The data collected can be used to improve strategies and thus prevent these
diseases from occuring.
As the PHN becomes more responsive to the needs and probs of her clientele, she is applying
the basic ethical principles in rendering service and care to her clients. These are:

1. Respect for Persons/ Autonomy – Protecting the clients’ rights as they are given the right
for self- governance, to deliberate and decide what is the best solution to their recognized needs
and problems

2. Beneficence/ Utility – do good for everyone, maximize possible benefits/ community

resources and minimize possible harms.

3. Non- maleficence – applying “ primum non nocere” – at first, do no harm

4. Justice- treat everyone equally regardless of their race, creed or socio-economic status,
give what is due corresponding to the needs and problems of the people.

5. Inviolability of life – maintain the dignity of the individual as we give respect for human
life.