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Public health nursing, or community nursing, is a specialty area that combines nursing with public health concepts. The goal of the public health nurse is to improve the health and well-being of the entire community by focusing upon the prevention of injury, disease, disability, and premature death in individuals, families, and groups. Public health nurses usually work in clinics, government or private health agencies, but may also make home visits or work in a specific neighborhood. Public health nurses who work within a business are called occupational health nurses.
Public health nurses identify the presence of health and/or safety problems occurring within the home, work environment, and community by working with community leaders, physicians, parents, and teachers. Intervention programs prevent or correct the problems, and are developed with the assistance of nutritionists, environmental health specialists, epidemiologists, and other public health officials.
Intervention programs lower health risks and also reduce the number of doctor visits through education concerning prevention of an identified health or safety risk. Public health nursing addresses substance abuse, domestic or social violence, teen pregnancy, poor diet, sexually transmitted diseases, and infectious disease. Education also covers childcare, nutrition, disease prevention, and health care issues; health services contacts are also provided to the community. Public health nurses have traditionally worked in communities that have lower economic status and a decreased access to healthcare. This requires knowledge of a wide range of values, beliefs, and cultures.
Theories and Models for Community Health Nursing
- Neumann's Systems Model
- Nightingale's Theory of Environment
- Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing
- Pender's Health Promotion Model
- Roger's Unitary Human Beings
- Roy's Adaptation Model
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