Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University

SOUTH LA UNION CAMPUS

COLLEGE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND ALLIED MEDICAL SCIENCES
Agoo, La Union

PANG-ES, EMELI P.

BSN III-A

What are the "Features of Community Health Nursing"?

Provide definitions and examples.

Community Health Nursing is defined as the synthesis of nursing and public health
practice applied to promoting and protecting the health of population. The following are some
characteristics of CHN:

IT IS POPULATION FOCUSED

- By definition, public health nurses (PHNs) provide population-based care. Preventing

errors that would have a negative impact on the health of entire populations and
communities is an important aspect of population-focused nursing care. When
healthcare professionals use treatment guidelines for populations, this is an example of
population-focused nursing. A community assessment must be conducted in order to
identify the health issues that the community faces in order to develop the guidelines.

IT INCLUDES INTER-DISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION.

DMMMSU-CCHAMS PROFESSOR: DENVER M. OFICIAR

Module I- NUPC 114: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
 - Interactive relationships between adults such as family members and professionals who

work together to achieve mutually agreed upon outcomes/goals. Collaboration requires

a group of people from various disciplines and the family to work together or combine
their efforts in response to the service setting, the child's unique needs, and the family's
desired outcomes. An example of interprofessional collaboration would be a doctor,
nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and pharmacist working together to
carry out an individualized plan of care in order to improve a patient's health status.

IT PROMOTES CLIENT’S RESPONSIBILITY AND SELF-CARE

- Care provided in acute care setting is usually directed at resolving immediate health

problems. In the community, care focuses on maximizing individual potential for self-
care regardless of any injury or illness. The client assumes responsibility for health care
decisions and care provision. Where health is the essence of care, the client’s ability to
function becomes the primary concern. Examples of quality, cost-effective self-care
interventions include: over-the-counter availability of some contraceptive products,
pregnancy tests, condoms and lubricants.

IT EMPHASIZES ON WELLNESS AND OTHER THAN DISEASE OR ILLNESS

- Rather than focusing on curing illnesses, community-based nursing care focuses on

promoting health and preventing illness.

DMMMSU-CCHAMS PROFESSOR: DENVER M. OFICIAR

Module I- NUPC 114: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING