Running head: COMMUNITY HEALTH 1. Community Health and the Nursing Roles Among Them. Rikki L. Zissler. Ferris State University

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1 Running head: COMMUNITY HEALTH 1 Community Health and the Nursing Roles Among Them Rikki L. Zissler Ferris State University

2 COMMUNITY HEALTH 2 Abstract The roles of a community health nurse and a public health nurse play a vital role in the community in which one lives. When having a community and public health nurse in the community it means, health promotion, prevention of illness, and assistance in care. Health promotion and prevention is key to a healthy and happy life. The different roles a nurse takes, shows the diversity in this profession. Illness prevention can not only help the individual but the community as a whole. Health and well being should be the overall focus each person takes.

3 COMMUNITY HEALTH 3 Community Health Nursing Roles Introduction A comparison and description of the roles of a community health nurse and a community based nurse will be discussed. Also the definition of job duties, types of clients each face, and typical sources and settings will also be addressed. Each role has its own uniqueness and purpose in the areas of which we live. Communities throughout have these roles in place to help people s health and well being. Community-based Nursing Brown, Stotts, and Zotti (2009) describes this role as a philosophy of nursing that guides nursing care provided by individuals, families, and groups where ever they are, including where they work, play, or go to school. Maurer and Smith (2009, p.3) define community health nursing as, an umbrella term used for all nurses who work in the community. In community based nursing often deals with the individuals and their families. The main focus is to educate and assist individuals with their health needs. According to Brown et al, it is not a profession, but a philosophy that guides care in nursing specialties, based off the definition given. Community health nurses typically can work in any health care related atmosphere. Family centered care is the main focus on the community based nursing theory. When a nurse in a hospital is caring for the patient, they work to incorporate the patients family since the family is who takes the patient home and finishes the care needed. The education required for this type of nurse is at least a two year degree. The training is then individualized depending on the type of unit the nurse chooses to work on. The client for the community based nurse varies depending on the type of area the nurse works in. For an example, the client is a premature

4 COMMUNITY HEALTH 4 infant; the nurse exercising the theory of a community based nurse would be working in a neonatal unit. The nurse in the neonatal unit would work towards focused teaching on home care for a special needs child. Community Health Nursing or Public Health Nursing Community health nursing is also known as a public health nurse. In the definition given by Brown et al, representing a systematic process of delivering nursing care to improve the health of the entire community. It explains that the public health nurses role is to focus on the community as a whole. This role is commonly a nurse that holds a bachelors degree or possibly a master s degree. The public health nurse may be associated with delivering education to a specific type of population. An example of this could be a school health nurse coming into a class of all pre teen girls and teaching them the proper techniques of feminine care products. Another example could be of a public health nurse setting up a station at a market and administering the flu shot. Funding for the services provided vary in which it could be a government funded project or a private funding. A donation of time and money is also another way some of the services provided are able to function. According to Maurer and Smith, population focused nursing is provided by the public health nurse. This nurse is trained to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the situation given by the client in focus. Some clients need a referral to services of need such as home health care, assistance for health care, and immunizations. The public health nurse is educated in what services work best for the client in need and may also be trained on provided the services needed. The high risk patients in need such as diabetics, heart illness patients, and mother and child patients are a few areas public health nurses may focus in.

5 COMMUNITY HEALTH 5 Conclusion In conclusion, the comparison to these areas is that each work towards the same goal of health and well being. The main focus of clients is on the community. Each needs a higher education level specializing in nursing. The community needs nursing in a public health role as well as in a facility role to help care for the ill. Both have to be culturally diverse and trained in culturally diverse issues that plague the community in which the nurse lives in. In contrast, the community health nurses in general every nurse seen out there. A public health nurse is a nurse that specializes in health promotion to the individual or family. The public health nurse requires at least a bachelor s degree, while the community nurse may have an associate s degree or diploma. So the next time a family member is in need of medical attention, one may be in contact with either or both!

6 COMMUNITY HEALTH 6 References Brown, P., Stotts, R. C., and Zotti, M. (1996) Community-based nursing versus community health nursing: what does it all mean? Nursing Outlook 44(5) Kulig, J. (2000) Community resiliency: the potential for community health nursing theory development. Public Health Nursing 17(5) Maurer, F., & Smith, C. (2009). Community/Public Health Nursing Practice (4 th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Community Health Nursing Roles. Karen L. Gunn. Ferris State University

Running head: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING ROLES Community Health Nursing Roles Karen L. Gunn Ferris State University COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING ROLES 2 Abstract This paper describes community-based nursing