Roles & Functions of Community

health nurse and Philosophy in

Community Health Nursing.

PAUL ANDREW C. TUGAHAN RN.

Roles & Functions of Community health
nurse.

Community health nurse can only perform his/her

functions effectively if he/she;
I. Has the nessesary knowledge, skills and attitudes in
dealing with the health needs and problems of his/her
clients.
II. Familiar with the structure and dynamics of the health
care system and its broader sociocultural, economic and
political context
III. Knowledgeable of the laws and policies affecting the
health care system in general and nursing practice in
particular and nursing and program standards.
Roles & Functions of Community health
nurse.

Actual practice of community health nursing varies from

one community to another. Municipalities and cities have
diffirent levels of capability, specifically the resources that
are mobilized for public health. Professional competence is
not the only requirement to fit into the practice. It also
requires people skills where physical, mental and
emotional strength will be needed and leadership,
resourcefulness, creativity, honesty and integrity will be
tested.
 Roles & Functions of Community health
nurse.
Community health nurse functions:
1. Management
1. POSDC
2. Program management

2. Supervisory function
1. Supervises midwives and auxiliary health workers.

3. Nursing care function

1. Nursing process
2. Home visits

4. Collaborating and coordinating function

1. Established linkages enables appropriate client referals

5. Health Promotion and health education

1. Advocacies and health education

6. Training Function
1. Formulation of staff development prog.

7. Research Function
1. Disease surveillance (Collection and analysis of data
Roles & Functions of Community health
nurse.

Role and functions of Community health nurse as per RA. 9173

I. Nursing care by utilizing nursing process

II. Establish linkages with the community resources and
coordination with the health team
III. Health education to individuals, families and communities
IV. Teach, guide and supervise students in nursing education
programs including the administration of nursing services in a
given health care setting
V. Undertake human resourse development training and research-
development of advance nursing practice.
 Philosophy of Community health nurse.
1. Philosophy of individual’s right of being healthy-
health is believed to be one of the rights of all human beings nationally and
internationally according to the WHO charter. goal of health for all is based on
the philosophy of individual’s right of being healthy. this philosophy
encompasses all the aspects of the society i.e. sociocultural, economic aspects,
so that there is no hindrance of any kind to attain these rights.
2) Philosophy of working together under a competent leader for the
common good
• Even in primitive ages, man has learnt to live together to meet their needs.
• The basis of modern CHN is to share responsibility of helping each other.
• Equal participation of the people working through the community groups/people with
the people, for the people for their mutual benefit, change in behavior and health
practices.
 Philosophy of Community health nurse.
3)Philosophy that people in the community have the potential for
continual development and are capable of dealing with their own
problems if educated and helped.
• An individual with average intelligence can learn and deal with his/her own
needs, modify his/her lifestyles adjust to his or her changing environment i.e.
he can learn to solve his or her problems.
• On the basis of this philosophy ,emphasis is placed on health education
projected towards individuals in home, health center, place of work, school,
community places or hospital.
• This helps to modify their behaviors respective to health.
 Philosophy of Community health nurse.
4)Philosophy of Socialism
Socialism as one of the social system in the community has control over
production and distribution e.g.: food, housing, material production of all kinds,
education, transportation, etc. should be shared with all people.
 Bibliography
CUEVAS, F. (2007). CHAPTER 3: THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE. IN PUBLIC HEALTH
NURSING IN THE PHILIPPINES (10TH ED.). PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE,
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT NURSES, INCORPORATED.
CLEMENT, I. (2009). BASIC CONCEPTS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING (2ND
ED.). JAYPEE BROTHERS MEDICAL PUB.
MAGLAYA, A. (2004). NURSING ASSESSMENT IN FAMILY NURSING PRACTICE.
INNURSING PRACTICE IN THE COMMUNITY (4TH ED.). MARIKINA CITY:
ARGONAUTA CORPORATION.