Community Health Nursing,

A field of nursing that is a blend of primary health care and nursing practice with public health nursing. The community health nurse conducts a continuing and comprehensive practice that is preventive, curative, and rehabilitative. The philosophy of care is based on the belief that care directed to the individual, the family, and the group contributes to the health care of the population as a whole. The community health nurse is not restricted to the care of a particular age or diagnostic group. Participation of all consumers of health care is encouraged in the development of community activities that contribute to the promotion of, education about, and maintenance of good health. These activities require comprehensive health programs that pay special attention to social and ecologic influences and specific populations at risk. Importance of the greatest good for the greatest number
Utilitarianism (also: utilism) is the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its usefulness in maximizing utility as summed among all sentient beings. It is thus a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome.

Health promotive and disease preventive strategies

Promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing risk factors to oral health that arise from environmental, economic, social and behavioural causes. Developing health systems that equitably improve health outcomes, respond to people's legitimate demands, and are financially fair. Framing policies in health, based on integration of health into national and community health programmes, and promoting health as an effective dimension for development policy of society.

Tools for measuring health problems

Health outcomes Health inequalities Health behaviors Health care access and quality Socioeconomic indicators Environmental factors Public health policies

 Concepts and principles of CHN

Here are the Community Health Nursing Principles 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 Ch effort. 2. Knowledge and understanding of the objectives and policies of the agency facilities goal achievement. The mission statement commits Community Health Nurses of 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 peoples 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. 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.

Roles of Nurses in Communities

The activities of public health nurses include the following: 1. Provide essential input to interdisciplinary programs that monitor, anticipate, and respond to public health problems in population groups, regardless of which disease or public health threat is identified; 2. Evaluate health trends and risk factors of population groups and help determine priorities for targeted interventions; 3. Work with communities or specific population groups within the community to develop public policy and targeted health promotion and disease prevention activities; 4. Participate in assessing and evaluating health care services to ensure that people are informed of programs and services available and are assisted in the utilization of available services. Provide health education, care management and primary care to individuals and families who are members of vulnerable populations and high risk groups.

History of Community health nursing in the Philippines

Early Beliefs, Practices and Care of the sick

Early Filipinos subscribed to superstitious belief and practices in relation to health and sickness Diseases, their causes and treatment were associated with mysticism and superstitions Cause of disease was caused by another person (an enemy of witch) or evil spirits Persons suffering from diseases without any identified cause were believed bewitched by mangkukulam Difficult childbirth were attributed to nonos Belief in special Gods of healing: priest-physician, word doctors, herbolarios/herb doctors

Early Hospitals during the Spanish Regime Hospital Real de Manila San Juan de Dios Hospital San Lazaro Hospital Hospital de Aguas Santas Hospital de Indios College of Nursing 1. 2. 3. 4. UST College of Nursing 1st College of Nursing in the Phils: 1877 MCU College of Nursing June 1947 (1st College who offered BSN 4 year program) UP College of Nursing June 1948 FEU Institute of Nursing June 1955