In an era of increasing challenges for public health, nurses have the potential to make a dramatic difference. The American Public Health Association defines public health nursing as, "the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health
sciences".1
As individuals, nurses directly influence the health and wellbeing of patients every day. Through frequent contact, nurses are best placed to encourage lifestyle changes in communities and offer education on healthy living – particularly to the most vulnerable in society.
Uniting to improve public health
By working together, nurses can make a great impact on public health as a whole. The American Nurses Association (ANA) builds on individual nurse contributions to public health, by supporting policy, advocacy, and education at the highest levels. These areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Immunizations;
- Infection prevention;
- Environmental health; and
- Opioid crisis response.
Preparing nurses for public health crises
Nurses must be prepared to respond directly to public health crises; from outbreaks of disease to natural disasters. ANA keeps nurses up-to-date on emerging public health issues, to help nurses to make the most informed treatment decisions.
ANA has supported nurses’ work with resources on:
- Ebola
- Fluoridation of public water drinking systems
- Quitting smoking
- Climate change
Public health nursing’s scope and standards of practice
ANA empowers nurses to perform to the full extent of their expertise, for the benefit of public health. By facilitating the review and revision of public health nursing’s scope and standards of practice, ANA ensures that nursing responsibilities evolve at the same pace as the demands of public health.
The Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations
ANA supports the work of the Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations (CPHNO), which strives to improve the health of communities through excellence in nursing education, practice, leadership, and research.2 Its membership has changed since it was established in the early 1980s, and now includes:
- Association of Community Health Nurse Educators (ACHNE)
- Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN)
- American Public Health Association (APHA) - Public Health Nursing Section
- Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE)
The goals of the CPHNO are to create innovative models for public health nursing practice; identify and support the emerging roles of public health nurses; and to develop leadership skills for public health nurses at all levels.
Recent ANA actions for public health
- ANA Opposes Graham Cassidy Proposal
Take more action
Want to know more about public health nursing? Contact any of the above Quad Council associations. If you’re interested in obtaining the Advanced Public Health Nursing-Board Certified (APHN-BC) credential, visit the ANCC Certification section to learn about the assessment method for ANCC board certification.
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How were Canadian CHN standards developed? -developed by geography (community reps) representative under the supporting organization CHNC Why are CCHN standards important to practice - define scope Why is the the standards of nursing practice at the bottom of the triangle of community health nurses association of canada? all nursing standards build off nursing standards Changes to CHNC standards. schematic order (2013) What are the standards of CHNC? 1. health promotion
- process took 3 years
- revised 3 times (March 2011)
- criteria for safe ethical care
- criteria for measuring performance
- support ongoing development of CHN
- promote CHN specialty
- foundation for cert.
- inspire excellence/commitment
- benchmark for CHN
7 standards (2011)
2. Prevention and health protection
3. Health Maintenance, Restoration and palliation
4.
Professional relationships
5. Capacity building
6. Access and Equity
7. Professional Responsibility and Accountability
The first 3 standards are for ____ ____
The last 4 standards ____ the first 3 standards.
Examples of HEALTH PROMOTION in PHN
- PHN advocate for smoke free town
Examples of HEALTH PROMOTION in CHN,
- assists in physical activity and healthy eating with schools and local communities
Examples of HEALTH PROMOTION in HHN
- encourages families dealing with a chronic illness to participate in regular physical and social activities
Examples of PREVENTION & HEALTH PROTECTION in PHN
- track immunization schedules for each child so that when a child is overdue for vaccine they can be contacted
Examples of PREVENTION & HEALTH PROTECTION in CHN
- OBSERVE high rates of smoking within a particular
client group
- the concern is raised with the practice TEAM and a PLAN is developed to find a way to address the issue
Examples of HEALTH MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION & PALLIATION in HHN.
cares for disabled students in the classroom (communication is required with the child's guardian, teacher, class assistant re childs status and response to treatment)
Examples of HEALTH MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION & PALLIATION in CHN
provides ongoing nursing care to families with seniors who are experiencing difficulties
- direct or indirect (through PSW)
- may include telephone follow
up, home visits or community referrals
Examples of PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS in HHN.
working in palliative care listens to the concerns of stressed and exhausted caregivers and supports them in making decisions about respite and hospice care
Examples of PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS in PHN
working with families experiencing child care difficulties identify that post natal visits based on issues or tasks moves them around too much
- bring concerns to management
Examples of CAPACITY BUILDING in HHN
encourages a mother and teens to work out a schedule for ROM exercises for the grandmother
- family is happy to have worked out the problem together
Examples of CAPACITY BUILDING in PHN
encourages a school to MOBILIZE A SCHOOL HEALTH COMMITEE that includes students, parents, teachers, administration, and community partners. Committee members identify the school community’s STRENGTHS AND NEEDS, and prioritize, plan, implement, evaluate and celebrate action for a healthier school (NURSING PROCESS). The school community’s capacity to take its own action for health is enhanced via a SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURE (the committee). The PHN is a PARTNER
in the process
Examples of ACCESS AND EQUITY in PHN
IDENTIFIES that one ETHNIC GROUP DOES NOT USE HC SERVICES (including prenatal classes) outside their area. The PHN works with a champion from this group to ORGANIZE LOCAL PRENATAL CLASSES delivered by a PHN and TRANSLATED BY WOMEN FROM THE
COMMUNITY
Examples of ACCESS AND EQUITY in HHN.
HHN and Case Maneger ADVOCATE for families caring for medically fragile children by seeking RESPITE CARE for exhausted families, CONTACTING LOCAL MP
Examples of PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY in PHN
NEEDLE EXCHANGE based on HARM REDUCTION
- difficulty with tenets (principles of belief) of harm reduction and uses REFLECTIVE PRACTICE personally and with his supervisor to understand and change his assumptions
Examples of PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY in PHN (2)
Discuss decline in level of service with the new manager (either go higher of offer to collaborate)