ANDAYA, MARIE JOY L.

BSN 3-9 KATIE ERIKSSON

1. One of the advantages in rural community health nursing is the fact that the community
members are closer to one another, know each other. What are the challenges associated with
this for the community health nurse?
- One significant challenge is maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy. In these tight-
knit communities, it can be difficult to protect sensitive health information from spreading
within the community, potentially causing embarrassment or stigma for individuals seeking
healthcare services. Additionally, the familiarity among community members may lead to
the nurse facing personal biases or conflicts of interest when delivering care, making it
challenging to remain impartial and objective.
2. The “invisible groups” within the community are referred to, in terms of the difficulties inherent
in accessing such groups, especially in an urban setting. What might be some examples of such
groups? How can the community health nurse facilitate: a) their voices being ‘heard” and b)
their access to nursing services?
- Examples of such groups can include homeless individuals, undocumented immigrants,
LGBTQ+ youth, substance abusers, and people with mental health disorders. To facilitate
their voices being 'heard' and improve their access to nursing services, community health
nurses can adopt several strategies. Firstly, they can establish trust and build rapport with
these groups through outreach programs, cultural sensitivity, and non-judgemental
approaches. Secondly, they can collaborate with local community organizations and social
workers to create safe spaces for these groups to express their concerns and needs.
3. What are the advantages of bringing community health nursing services close to where people
live out their daily lives? What are the challenges?
- Bringing community health nursing services closer to where people live offers several
distinct advantages like proximity enhances accessibility, ensuring that individuals, especially
those in underserved or remote areas, can readily access essential healthcare and
preventive services without significant travel burdens. This approach fosters stronger nurse-
patient relationships, enabling better understanding of community needs, culture, and social
determinants of health, leading to more tailored and effective care. However, there are
challenges associated with this approach, including resource limitations, maintaining the
quality and consistency of care across diverse communities, and the need for robust
coordination among healthcare providers and community organizations to address the
multifaceted aspects of health and wellness in localized settings.
4. What challenges do you think might be inherent in working with an interdisciplinary team in the
community? What might be the advantages?
- One inherent challenge is the potential for communication barriers due to differences in
professional jargon and perspectives. Coordinating individuals from diverse backgrounds,
such as healthcare, social services, and education, may require extra effort to ensure
effective collaboration. However, these challenges can be outweighed by several
advantages. An interdisciplinary team brings a wealth of expertise and viewpoints to
problem-solving, leading to more holistic and innovative solutions to community issues. This
approach can enhance the quality of services and support provided, leading to better
outcomes for the community.