Concepts of Public /

Community Health
Nursing
 Community Health Nursing [CHN]
is a special field of nursing practice
where services are delivered
outside of purely curative
institutions [ hospitals], but in
community settings such as home,
school, places of work, health
centers, & clinics.
 Thescope of services covers the
whole range of health promotion,
preventive curative & rehabilitative
nursing services, with bias towards
& priority given to health
promotion & disease prevention
especially for the underserved &
high risk individuals, families,
population groups,& areas of
community.
Definition of Public Health as defined by
WHO- the art of applying science in
the context of politics so as to reduce
inequalities in health while ensuring
the best health for the greatest
number. It points to the fact that
public health use a core element of
governments’ attempts to improve &
promote the health & welfare of their
citizens.
Dr. C.E. Winslow is known for the
classic definition of public health:
Public health is the art & science of:
1. Preventing diseases
2. Prolonging life &
3. Promoting health & efficiency
through organized community
efforts for the following:
Luz B. Ubana, RN, MAN
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a. Sanitation of environment,
b. Control of communicable diseases,
c. The education of the individual in
principles of personal hygiene,
d. Organization of medical & nursing
service for the early diagnosis &
preventive treatment of disease, &

*** LUZ B. UBANA, R.N., M.A.N.

*** 6
e. The development of the social
machinery which will ensure to every
individual in the community a
standard of living adequate for the
maintenance of health, so organizing
these benefits as to enable every
citizen to realize his bright right of
health & longevity.

*** LUZ B. UBANA, R.N., M.A.N.

*** 7
1. Disease control
2. Injury prevention
3. Health protection
4. Healthy public policy including those
in relation to environmental hazards
such as in the work place, housing,
food, water, etc.
5. Promotion of health & equitable health
Core
gain.Business of Public Health
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Definition by WHO- a “special field of
nursing that combines the skills of
nursing, public health & some phases
of social assistance & functions as part
of the total public health program for
the promotion of health, the
improvement of the conditions in the
social & physical environment,
rehabilitation of illness & disability.

Public Health Nursing

Essential Public Health Functions:
1.Health situation monitoring & analysis.
2. Epidemiological surveillance/ disease
prevention & control.
3. Development of policies & planning in
public health.
4. Strategic management of health systems &
services to population health gain.
5. Regulation & enforcement to protect public
health.
Basic Concepts & Principles in
Community Health Nursing Practice:
1. The family is the unit of care, hence the
community health nurse consider the
health needs of all members of the
family in providing nursing services.
2. The community as a whole is the locus
of service & the patient
3. The goal in improving community
health is realized through
multidisciplinary
approach.
4. The community health nurse is deeply
with the increasing capability of her 4
levels of clientele- individual, family,
population groups & community to deal
with its own recognized needs & health
problems.
5. The public health nurse works with & not
for the client who is an active partner
6. Practice is affected by changes in society
 Additionally, as the public health
nurse becomes more responsive to the
needs & problems of her clientele, she
is applying the basic ethical principles
in rendering service & care to her
clients which includes:
1. Respect for persons/ autonomy-
protecting the client’s rights as
they are given the right for self-
governance, to deliberate & decide
what is the best solution to their
recognized needs & problems.
2. Beneficence/utility- do good for
everyone, maximize possible
benefits/ community resources &
minimize possible harms;
3. non-maleficence- applying
“primum non nocere”- at first do no
harm
4. Justice- treat everyone equally
regardless of their race, creed or
socio-economic status, give what is
due corresponding to the needs &
problems of the people.
 Community Health Nursing [CHN] is
a special field of nursing practice
where services are delivered outside
of purely curative institutions [
hospitals], but in community settings
such as home, school, places of work,
health centers, & clinics.

Community Health Nursing

 Thescope of services covers the whole
range of health promotion, preventive
curative & rehabilitative nursing
services, with bias towards & priority
given to health promotion & disease
prevention especially for the
underserved & high risk individuals,
families, population groups,& areas of
community.
1. Nursing is a unique & distinct component of health
care.
2. CHN subscribes to the philosophy of interdependence
among health professions. The nurse works
collaboratively with members of health team.
3. As a special field of nursing practice, CHN shares
humanistic beliefs & values of nursing profession. It
upholds the dignity of human being & respects the
rights of individuals & families to be treated & served
with courtesy, respect & compassion

PHILOSOPHY FOR CHN PRACTICE

4. CHN believes in the primacy of health as a goal & as
an essential element that affects the quality of life of
individuals, families, groups & communities.
5. The goal of nursing care is independence & self –
reliance in health care. CHN believes in capacity of
people / communities to change for the better, given
the right information, motivation & assistance.
6. CHN recognizes the relationship of non- health
problems to health problems & the role of non- health
interventions in the solution of health problems
7. To achieve the goal of community health, the nurse
works WITH, not FOR , individual client, families ,
population groups & community
8. Nursing goals & standards of care should consider
constraints imposed by client, health agency &
community resources
9. CHN practice is not a body or set of same repeating
tasks. What nurses do varies according to time & place
10. Nurse must keep their knowledge & skills current &
up to date according to developments, in nursing,
public health & other science
1. CHN is based on recognized needs of
individuals, families & communities
2. The CHN must understand fully the
objectives & policies of the agency he/she
represents
3. In CHN, the family is the unit of service
4. CHN must be available to all- regardless of
race, creed & socio- economic status

PRINCIPLES OF CHN
5. Health teaching is the primary responsibility of
community health nurse
6. The community health nurse works as a member of
the health team
7. There must be provision for periodic evaluation of
CHN services
8. Community health nurse has responsibility for her
own professional growth
9. Community health nurse makes use of available
health resources
10. There should be accurate recording & reporting in
CHN