Jamison, Greggy Carl P.

Report Title: The Standards of Community Health Nursing Practice

General Objective:
At the end of the discussion the student/s will learn to understand the standards of
community health nursing practice in the practice of their profession, through:
Specific Objectives:
1. Describe what a profession/nursing profession is and its classification;
2. Distinguish the difference between Public Health Nursing & Community Health
Nursing;
3. Identify the advantages & disadvantages of Community Health Nursing;
4. Familiarize with the categories of nurses in the public health;
5. Establish criteria and expectations for acceptable nursing practice and safe, ethical
care; and
6. Use the standards to guide and evaluate their practice.

Community health nurses value caring,

principles of primary health care,
multiple ways of knowing,
individual and community partnerships,
empowerment, and social justice.

Practice of Nursing
Profession (Robles & Dionesio 2001)
In the past, only applicable to law, medicine and theology/divinity (learned
profession)
Implies professed attainments in special knowledge/higher education and skills and
governed by its own code of ethics
Essential for employment or vocation (occupation)
Characteristic of a profession:
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1. Special preparation or training.

2. A clearly defined and comparatively permanent membership.
3. The acceptance of the service motive.
Professional Nursing

to put the pt. in the best condition for nature to act upon him. -Florence
Nightingale
Approach: Humanistic and Holistic care
The performance for a fee, salary or other reward or compensation, of professional
nursing services to individuals, families and community in various stages of
development toward the promotion of health, prevention of illness, restoration of
health and alleviation of suffering. (Phil. Nursing Act)
General Classification of Nurses:
A. Institutional Nurses- employed in hospitals or institution
B. Public Health Nurses- employed in a community ( together with school nurse,
occupational-health/industrial nurse, maternal and child health nurse and tuberculosis
nurses)
C. Nurse Educators- employed in teaching or administrative staff of a school of
nursing/educational institution for nurses
The classification of nurses varies wither they are in a Government or Private sector,
and are classified according to the nature and duties of the positions they hold.
The Budget on Commission created RA. No. 1241 all nursing positions in the
government serviCE have been placed under on group called Nursing Group.salary rangeCategories of Nurses in Public Health:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Public Health Nursing Supervisor

Regional Nursing Supervisor
Regional Public Health Nurse
Supervising Public Health Nurse II
Supervising Public Health Nurse I
Senior Public Health Nurse
Public Health Nurse

Brief History of PHN/CHN:

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 August 1, 1922 was first introduced in the course of nursing the Philippines.
Philippine Health Services- established the course together with UP, PGH, Public
Welfare Commission, Phil. Chapter of American Red Cross and other charitable and
organizations in Manila.
Made in due to increasing demand for public health services needs in the city and
rural districts
Rural Health Units established by the Government to meet the demands of the public
for their health services needs
- Amended by RA. No. 1891 (June 22, 1957) creation of rural health units of
eight different categories corresponding to eight population group of communities
to be served.

Category
I
II
III

IV

VI

VII

VIII

Staff of Personnel
1 midwife
1 sanitary inspector
1 PHN
1 midwife or 1 sanitary inspector
1 municipal health officer (unit head)
1 PHN
1 midwife
1 sanitary inspector
1 municipal health officer (unit head)
1 PHN
2 midwives
1 sanitary inspector
1 municipal health officer (unit head)
2 PHN
2 midwives
1 sanitary inspector
2 municipal health officer (unit head)
2 PHN
2 midwives
2 sanitary inspector
2 municipal health officer (unit head)
2 PHN
3 midwives
3 sanitary inspector
2 municipal health officer (unit head)

Municipality
Group
I

Population
2K below

II

2K 5K

III

5K 10K

IV

10K 20K

20K 30K

VI

30K 40K

VII

40K 50K

VIII

50K above
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4 PHN
4 midwives
3 sanitary inspector
Public Health / Community Health Nursing
-Often used interchangeably.
-The National League of the Philippine Government Nurses, in developing the
Standards of Public Health Nursing Practice in the Philippines (2006) differentiated the two
as follows:
Public Health Nursing
- the practice of nursing in the local, national and city health departments which
include health centers and public schools. It is community nursing practice in the public
sector. (Venzon 2010)
-the PHN provides nursing care and counsel to person and families, either to
individual or groups in clinic, in their homes, in school and at their place of work and
cooperates with other health and professional allied groups in studying, planning and
carrying out the community program for the prevention and promotion of health. (Robles and
Dionesio 2001)
Community Health Nursing
- Broader as it encompasses nursing practice in a variety of roles, which at times
include independent nursing practice. (Venzon 2010)
- combines elements of both nursing and public health practice and takes place
outside the therapeutic institution. The nurse is independent, autonomous, and forthright in
their dealing with patients, supervisors and member of other health care disciplines, risk
takers and eager to try new ways. (Robles and Dionesio 2001)
Responsibility of a PHN/CHN:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Determining the health needs of the individual, family and the community
Assessing health status
Implementing health planning
Evaluating health practices
Providing primary health care

Remember:
The National Health Program of the Philippines gives much emphasis on the
promotion of health and prevention of disease.
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 Needs involvement among all member of the health team such as physicians, nurses,
midwives, epidemiologists, dentists, sanitary inspectors, sanitary engineers,
nutritionists, heath educators, social workers, the community and barangay leaders.
(BHW and Community)
Effective coordination can best be achieved if all members have an understanding of,
and respect for, each others function.
Public Health Nurses are required to keep up-to-date through various continuing
education programs conducted by the DOH and Regional Health Offices.
Advantages of Community Health Nursing:
1) The focus of nursing care is on family and community health rather than on an
individual basis. Here, the nurse will be able to see the total picture of the family and
community health situation.
2) It gives the nurse a better perspective of the health condition of the community and
the health programs conceived and implemented by the government, and to appreciate
the nurses role in nation building.
3) It maximizes efforts to improvise where there are no sufficient facilities, supplies and
equipment.
4) It enables the nurse to utilize various community resources and maximize
coordination with other members of the health team.
5) Focus of care is more on educational and preventive aspects. Thus, nurses have the
privilege of contributing to the program for healthy citizenry especially among the
rural poor.
6) Individuals, families and communities are motivated to assume responsibility for
their own healthcare.

Disadvantages of Community Health Nursing:

1) Cases found in community health nursing are limited mostly to chronic and/or
communicable diseases.
2) There are more hazards in the public health rather than n hospital nursing, such as
exposure to elements (inclement weather, heat of sun, rain), dog or snake bites,
accidents etc.

3) There are no fixed hours of work. The nurse may be called upon any time of the
day or night.
4) Some claim that community health nursing is not as exciting nor as glamorous as
hospital work.
5) Facilities for care of the sick are limited so that practice or skills may also be
limited.
6) The community health nurse may not be immediately aware of the changes or
trends in the fields of medicine or nursing.
7) Community health nursing is not a place for introverts. A nurse has to be outgoing
to meet people.
8) There is no immediate supervisor to consult in case of emergency.

References:
The Philippine Nursing Law RA. 9173
Philippine Nursing Law, Jurisprudence & Ethics 13th edition 2001 by Robles &
Dionesio, p. 23 p. 36
Professional Nursing in the Philippines 11th edition (2010) by Lydia M. Venzon,p. 39
p. 41