Overview of Public Health Nursing & Activities of the Community Health Nurse

Community

A group of people living together, sharing values, customs, and institutions that guide how they live.

Health (WHO)

Complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just absence of disease

Community Health

Health programs and services organized for the whole community, not just individuals, done by government and private groups.

Community Health Nursing (CHN)

A branch of nursing that serves individuals, families, groups, and communities. It promotes health, prevents disease, provides care, and helps with recovery.

1957 (RA 1891)

Law created Rural Health Units (RHUs), which provide basic health services to communities.

Planner/Programmer

Identifies health problems, makes health plans, and helps implement programs, especially if there’s no doctor.

Health Educator/Trainer

Provides health information (talks, posters, counseling) on topics like breastfeeding, immunization, safe pregnancy.

Community Organizer

Encourages people to join in solving their health problems and to become self-reliant.

Coordinator of Services

Links families and communities to government and NGO programs (e.g., PhilHealth, DOH services).

Provider of Nursing Care

Gives direct nursing care at home, school, clinic, or workplace. Involves the family in caring for the sick

Health Monitor

Visits homes, checks health status, detects early signs of problems, and keeps accurate records.

Researcher

Collects data, conducts small studies or surveys to understand health needs.

Statistician

Records, consolidates, and analyzes health data to guide planning.

Change Agent

Encourages healthier lifestyles and practices, motivates the community to make positive changes.

Integrity

Be honest, respect confidentiality, build trust

Professionalism

Maintain high standards, show leadership, be responsible

Competence

Be skilled in conflict resolution, ethical decision-making, and adaptability

Commitment

Keep promises and fulfill duties to clients and community.

Openness

Be transparent, accept feedback, and communicate clearly.

Teamwork

Work well with colleagues, respect each member’s role, collaborate effectively.

Patriotism

Show love for country by serving people and communities faithfully.

Home visits

Observe living conditions, assess health, and give care.

School health

Health teaching, immunization, growth checks, first aid.

Environmental sanitation

Promote clean water, waste disposal, and hygiene.

Maternal & child health

Prenatal and postnatal care, immunization, family planning, growth monitoring.

Communicable disease control

Immunization, case-finding, treatment follow-up.

Non-communicable disease control

Health education, early detection (e.g., hypertension, diabetes).

Nutrition program

Feeding programs, counseling on proper diet, growth monitoring.

Health education

Campaigns using posters, lectures, home visits

Emergency care

First aid and referral when needed.

Record-keeping & reporting

Documentation for program monitoring, evaluation, and planning.

The public health bag

It contains basic medications and articles which are necessary for giving care