CHN LESSON 2 | COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

Community Health Nursing

a specialized field of nursing that combines nursing science with public health principles to promote, protect, and preserve the health of populations and communities. It focuses on the health needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention rather than curative care alone.

Community Health Nursing According to Cuevas et al. (2021)

is the utilization of the nursing process in the different levels of clientele—individuals, families, population groups, and communities—concerned with the promotion of health, prevention of disease, and rehabilitation.

Community Health Nursing According to WHO

a service directed toward improving the health status of the population through preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care within the community

Community Health Nursing Primary Focus

the community, as the patient or unit of care, rather than the individual alone

Community Health Nursing Focus’

1.) Health Promotion

2.) Disease Prevention

3.) Population-Based Care

4.) Community Participation

5.) Environmental Health

6.) Primary Health Care

7.) Health Equity and Social Justice

Community Health Nursing Emphasizes

preservation and protection of health; the primary client is the COMMUNITY

Community-Based Nursing Emphasizes

managing acute and chronic health conditions; the primary clients are the individuals and family

CHN Practice Requires the following types of data for scientific approach and population:

• The epidemiology or body of knowledge of a particular problem or its solution

• Information about the community

To Determine the Overall Health Pattern of the Population

data collection for assessment and management decisions within a community should be ongoing, not episodic

Types of Information

• Demographic Data

• Groups At High Risk

• Services/Providers Available

Demographic Data Examples

Age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level

Demographic Data Sources

Vital Statistics date (national, regional, local); census