Lesson 1: Concepts of Community Health Nursing

CHN LEC MODULE 1: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING CONCEPTS (Week 1-2)
LESSON 1: CONCEPTS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

Community Health Nursing
● Community health nursing practice promotes and preserves the health populations by
integrating the skills and knowledge relevant to both nursing and public health. The practice is
comprehensive and general, and is not limited to a particular age or diagnostic group; it is
continual, and is not limited to episodic care (ANA).
● 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 disability and rehabilitation.” (Maglaya, et al)
● Special field of nursing that combines the skills of nursing, public health and some phases of
social assistance and functions as part of the total public health program for the promotion of
health, the improvement of the conditions in the social and physical environment, rehabilitation
of illness and disability ( WHO Expert Committee of Nursing)
● A learned practice discipline with the ultimate goal of contributing as individuals and in
collaboration with others to the promotion of the client’s optimum level of functioning thru’
teaching and delivery of care (Jacobson)
Important points of Community Health Nursing

1. The goal of professional practice is the promotion and preservation of the health of
populations.
2. The nature of practice is comprehensive, general, continual and not episodic.
3. The knowledge base comes from nursing and public health.
4. The different levels of clientele – individuals, families and groups.
5. The practitioner’s recognition of the primacy of the population as a whole.
12 Principles of Community Health Nursing

1. The recognized need of individuals, families and communities provides the basis for CHN
practice. Its primary purpose is to further apply public health measures within the framework of
the total CHN effort.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the objectives and policies of the agency facilities goal
achievement. The mission statement commits Community Health Nurses to positively actualize
their service to this end.
3. CHN considers the family as the unit of service. Its level of functioning is influenced by the
degree to which it can deal with its own problems. Therefore the family is an effective and
available channel for the most of the CHN efforts.
4. Respect for the values, customs and beliefs of the clients contribute to the effectiveness of
care to the client. CHN services must be available sustainable and affordable to all regardless
of race, creed, color or socio-economic status.
5. CHN integrated health education and counseling as vital parts of functions. These encourage
and support community efforts in the discussion of issues to improve the people’s health.
6. Collaborative work relationships with the co-workers and members of the health team facilities
accomplishments of goals. Each member is helped to see how his/her work benefits the whole
enterprise.
7. Periodic and continuing evaluation provides the means for assessing the degree to which CHN
goals and objectives are being attained. Clients are involved in the appraisal of their health
program through consultations, observations and accurate recording.
8. Continuing staff education program quality services to client and are essential to upgrade and
maintain sound nursing practices in their setting. Professional interest and needs of
Community Health Nurses are considered in planning staff development programs of the
agency.
CHN LEC MODULE 1: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING CONCEPTS (Week 1-2)
9. Utilization of indigenous and existing community resources maximizing the success of the
efforts of the Community Health Nurses. The use of local available ailments. Linkages with
existing community resources, both public and private, increase the awareness of what care
they need what are entitled.
10. Active participation of the individual, family and community in planning and making decisions
for their health care needs, determine, to a large extent, the success of the CHN programs.
Organized community groups are encouraged to participate in the activities that will meet
community needs and interests.
11. Supervision of nursing services by qualified by CHN personnel provides guidance and
direction to the work to be done. Potentials of employees for effective and efficient work are
developed.
12. Accurate recording and reporting serve as the basis for evaluation of the progress of planned
programs and activities and as a guide for the future actions. Maintenance of accurate records
is a vital responsibility of community as these are utilized in studies and researches and as
legal documents.
Standards in CHN
1. Theory - Applies theoretical concepts as basis for decisions in practice
2. Data Collection - Gathers comprehensive, accurate data systematically
3. Diagnosis - Analyzes collected data to determine the needs/ health problems of individual,
family, and community.
4. Planning - At each level of prevention, develops plans that specify nursing actions unique to
needs of clients
5. Intervention - Guided by the plan, intervenes to promote, maintain or restore health, prevent
illness and institute rehabilitation
6. Evaluation - Evaluates responses of clients to interventions to note progress toward goal
achievement, revise data base, diagnoses and plan
7. Quality Assurance and Professional Development - Participates in peer review and other
means of evaluation to assure quality of nursing practice
8. Assumes professional development - Contributes to development of others
9. Interdisciplinary Collaboration - Collaborates with other members of the health team,
professionals and community representatives in assessing, planning, implementing and
evaluating programs for community health
10. Research - Indulges in research to contribute to theory and practice in community health
nursing
Characteristics or Attributes of Community Health Nursing

1. Greater control for both the nurse and the client in making decisions related to health care.
2. Collaboration between nurse and client as equals.
3. Recognition of the impact of different factors on health.
4. Nurse’s greater awareness of their clients’ lives and situations.
Concepts and Theories Related to Community Health Nursing

1. Emphasis on the importance of the “greatest good for the greatest number.”
2. Assessing health needs, planning, implementing and evaluating the impact of health services
on population groups.
3. Priority of health-promotive and disease-preventive strategies over curative interventions.
4. Tools for measuring and analyzing community health problems.
5. Application of principles of management and organization in the delivery of health services to
the community.

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CHN LEC MODULE 1: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING CONCEPTS (Week 1-2)

LESSON 1: CONCEPTS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

Important points of Community Health Nursing

12 Principles of Community Health Nursing

Characteristics or Attributes of Community Health Nursing

Concepts and Theories Related to Community Health Nursing

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