MODULE 1: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A NURSE
Community public health nursing is not entirely different in nursing practice with that of
clinical nursing confined in the four corners of the hospital.
It also promotes wellness and prevents illness through education and health teachings,
provides comfort and care through its delicate nursing care interventions, and emphasizes
curative and rehabilitative interventions through efficient, individualized approaches.
its peculiarity involves not only caring for a single client but by extending thru the whole
family and the community.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE
1. The main focus of community 4. Continuity of care with the client, family or
health nurse is health promotion. and the community extends for a longer
time involving individuals of all ages and
A. Programmer/Planner health needs.
Identifies the needs and concerns of
individuals, groups, families, and the A. Health Monitor/Recorder
community Monitors and detects the presence of
Formulates health plans, especially health concerns in the community
in the absence of a community through contacts or home visits.
physician Utilizes various effective data gathering
Interprets and implements nursing techniques in keeping an eye on the
plans and programs health status of all recipients of care.
Assists other health team members Records and reports health status and
in implementing health programs in presence of health problems in the
the setting community
B. Health Educator/Trainer/ 5. The nature of nursing practice in the
Counsellor community needs the knowledge of
Acts as resource speaker on health biological and social sciences, ecology,
and health-related services clinical nursing, and community organizing,
Advocates health programs in the for it to be effective.
community through dissemination of
IEC or Information Education and A. Researcher
Communication materials Follows a systematic process of
Conducts advocacy educations monitoring the health status of the
concerning premarital, community through the conduct of
breastfeeding, and immunization surveys and home visits
counselling Conducts researches concerning the
Organizes orientation/ training of health of the community
concerned groups like pregnant Coordinates with government and non-
mothers government organizations in the conduct
Identifies and interprets training and implementation of studies
needs of health team members and
formulate appropriate training B. Statistician
program for them Records data systematically and
Conducts and facilitates necessary ensures its validity through accurate and
training or educational orientation to complete data gathering
other health team members in the Reports prepared reports to concerned
community organizations i.e. government
organization for immediate necessary
2. The recipient of care of community plans or programs
public health nursing practice is Consolidates and reviews reports
extended not only to the individual but efficiently.
also to benefit the whole family and Analyzes and interprets consolidated
community. data for monitoring the development in
the health matters of the whole
A. Community Organizer community
Promotes self- reliance of
community and emphasizes their 6. This field of nursing practice utilizes a
involvement and participation in dynamic process (assessment, planning,
planning, organizing, implementing implementation, and evaluation) in the
and evaluating of health services provision of continuous care until
Initiates and implements community termination is implicit.
development activities
Change Agent
A. Coordinator of services Promotes and motivates change in the
Coordinates health services with community in their health practices and
concerned individuals and lifestyle behaviors for them to promote
families through the community and maintain good health, be
health team members, knowledgeable and has the initiative in
government organizations and accessing health services
non- government organizations Inculcates self- reliance to brought about
Coordinates nursing plans and development and improvement in the
programs with other health community
programs
3. Community health nurses are
generalists in terms of their practice
through life’s continuum.
A. Provider of Nursing Care
Renders direct care to various
clients with different needs, may it
be at home, in school, clinics or
work settings
Involves the family in the care of the
sick or dependent individual, i.e.,
sick child
Roles and Responsibilities of a Nurse Activity (30 points)
[Link] a Community Health Nurse’s work and fulfillment.
2. Choose 2 roles and responsibilities of a community health nurse below and make a collage depicting
the roles that you had chosen.
Programmer/Planner
Health Educator/Trainer/Counsellor
Community Organizer
Provider of Nursing Care
Health Monitor
Researcher
Change Agent