Fields of Nursing Practice in Community Health
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Rommel Luis C. Israel IIIFields of Nursing Practice in Community Health
Uploaded by
Rommel Luis C. Israel IIIApplication of Fields of Nursing Practice in Community Health
Introduction
Community health nursing focuses on promoting, protecting, and preserving the health of
individuals, families, and groups in community settings. Different fields of nursing practice
apply specialized roles and interventions that support health across diverse populations.
This lecture covers School Health Nursing, Occupational Health Nursing, and Community
Health Nursing.
1. School Health Nursing
Definition
A specialized field of community health nursing that provides health services within the
school setting to promote the well-being and academic success of students.
Integrates health education, preventive care, and case management for school children,
faculty, and staff.
Goals
Promote and maintain the health of students and staff.
Prevent and control communicable diseases.
Ensure a safe and healthy school environment.
Provide health education that fosters healthy behaviors.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health Promotion – conduct health teaching on hygiene, nutrition, substance abuse
prevention, and mental health.
Disease Prevention & Control – immunization drives, health screenings (vision, hearing,
dental).
Direct Care Services – first aid, administering medications, monitoring chronic illnesses
(e.g., asthma, diabetes).
Advocacy – ensure access to healthcare services and referral to specialists.
Prepared by: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III
Clinical Instructor
Policy Development – collaborate with school administration for health policies (e.g., anti-
bullying programs, healthy canteen).
2. Occupational Health Nursing
Definition
A field of nursing that focuses on the health, safety, and well-being of workers in various
occupational settings.
Combines nursing practice with public health and occupational safety to ensure a healthy
workforce and productive workplace.
Goals
Protect and promote the health of employees.
Prevent occupational illnesses and accidents.
Ensure compliance with workplace safety standards.
Promote healthy work-life balance and wellness.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health Surveillance – conduct pre-employment, periodic, and return-to-work medical
examinations.
Risk Assessment – identify occupational hazards (physical, chemical, biological,
psychosocial).
Disease & Injury Prevention – implement safety programs, provide PPE education, conduct
workplace vaccination campaigns.
Emergency Care – provide first aid and manage work-related accidents.
Health Education – promote ergonomics, stress management, lifestyle modification.
Case Management – monitor employees with chronic illnesses or work-related injuries.
Collaboration – work with management and safety officers to ensure occupational health
laws and regulations are followed.
Prepared by: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III
Clinical Instructor
3. Community Health Nursing
Definition
A broad field of nursing practice directed toward promoting, protecting, and preserving the
health of populations in the community setting.
It applies the principles of public health nursing and primary health care.
Goals
Promote health and prevent disease at the community level.
Empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve self-reliance in health.
Ensure accessibility and equity in healthcare services.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health Promotion & Education – conduct community-based teaching on maternal-child
health, nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, and lifestyle diseases.
Disease Prevention & Control – implement immunization programs, vector control, and
surveillance of communicable diseases.
Direct Nursing Care – home visits, maternal and child care, elderly care, and chronic illness
monitoring.
Community Organizing – mobilize community members for health projects, campaigns,
and disaster preparedness.
Advocacy & Policy Implementation – enforce national health programs (e.g., TB-DOTS,
Expanded Program on Immunization).
Collaboration – work with barangay health workers, local leaders, and health agencies to
improve health services.
Summary
School Health Nursing safeguards the health of students, supporting their learning and
development.
Occupational Health Nursing ensures safe and healthy working conditions for employees.
Prepared by: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III
Clinical Instructor
Community Health Nursing addresses the health needs of individuals, families, and groups
in the community at large.
Together, these fields demonstrate the application of nursing in promoting health,
preventing disease, and providing care across diverse community settings.
References:
Allender, J. A., Rector, C., & Warner, K. D. (2014). Community & public health nursing:
Promoting the public’s health (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. (2020). Standards of occupational
health nursing practice. https://www.aaohn.org
Basavanthappa, B. T. (2014). Community health nursing (3rd ed.). Jaypee Brothers Medical
Publishers.
Clark, M. J. (2015). Population and community health nursing (6th ed.). Pearson.
Maurer, F. A., & Smith, C. M. (2013). Community/public health nursing practice: Health for
families and populations (5th ed.). Elsevier Saunders.
Philippine Department of Health. (2020). National objectives for health Philippines 2017–
2022. https://doh.gov.ph
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Foundations for population health in
community/public health nursing (6th ed.). Elsevier.
World Health Organization. (2021). School health services. https://www.who.int/health-
topics/school-health
World Health Organization. (2022). Occupational health: Workplace health promotion.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/occupational-health
Prepared by: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III
Clinical Instructor
