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Roles of theRoles of the

Community HealthCommunity HealthNurseNurse

(primary health care lab)(primary health care lab)

Submitted by:Submitted by:Racaza, Maria Eda B.Racaza, Maria Eda B.

Submitted to:Ms RobinsonMs Robinson

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ROLES OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSEROLES OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE

The following are the broad range of roles for the community healthThe following are the broad range of roles for the community healthnurse. As mentioned above several factors influence the nurses actual rolesnurse. As mentioned above several factors influence the nurses actual roles

and functioning. Some roles may be frequently and ably demonstrated, whileand functioning. Some roles may be frequently and ably demonstrated, whilesome may not be assumed at all.some may not be assumed at all.

1.1. Health MonitorHealth Monitor

Detecting deviations from health in individuals, families, specificDetecting deviations from health in individuals, families, specificpopulation groups and the community as a whole through contactspopulation groups and the community as a whole through contactsand visits with them and with the use of scientific, systematic, validand visits with them and with the use of scientific, systematic, validand reliable assessment methods and tools.and reliable assessment methods and tools.

Uses symptomatic and objectiveUses symptomatic and objective observation and other forms ofother forms of

data gathering like morbidity, registry, questionnaire, checklist anddata gathering like morbidity, registry, questionnaire, checklist andanecdo report/record to monitor growthanecdo report/record to monitor growth and development andhealth status of individuals, families and communities.

2.2. Provider of Nursing Care To The Sick And DisabledProvider of Nursing Care To The Sick And Disabled

Provision of nursing care to the sick and disabled in variousProvision of nursing care to the sick and disabled in various settings and developing the capabilities of individualsettings and developing the capabilities of individualclients/patients, families, specific groups and the community to takeclients/patients, families, specific groups and the community to takecare of themselves and of their sick, disabled and dependentcare of themselves and of their sick, disabled and dependentmembers.members.

Develops the familys capability to take care of the sick, disabledDevelops the familys capability to take care of the sick, disabledor dependent member. Provides continuity of patient care.or dependent member. Provides continuity of patient care.

3.3. Health TeacherHealth Teacher

Health Education is one of the most frequently used interventionHealth Education is one of the most frequently used interventionby the nurse, and every contact with a client in whatever setting isby the nurse, and every contact with a client in whatever setting isan opportunity for teaching about health matters with thean opportunity for teaching about health matters with the ultimateobjective of developing capabilities and self-reliance in health care.

4.4. CounselorCounselor

Giving an appropriate advice and broadening a clients insightGiving an appropriate advice and broadening a clients insightabout a problem so that appropriate decisions are made which canabout a problem so that appropriate decisions are made which canlead to a positive resolution of the problem.lead to a positive resolution of the problem.

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5. Client/Patient Advocate

An advocate is one who intercedes and pleads the cause ofAn advocate is one who intercedes and pleads the cause ofanother. In the role of an advocate the nurse protects the interestanother. In the role of an advocate the nurse protects the interestand welfare of the client/patient when the latters health, safety orand welfare of the client/patient when the latters health, safety or

welfare is threatened by others, and acts as their eyes, ears andwelfare is threatened by others, and acts as their eyes, ears andvoice. A fundamental duty of the nurse as an advocate is to promotevoice. A fundamental duty of the nurse as an advocate is to promoteand defend the rights of clients/patients. A major component ofand defend the rights of clients/patients. A major component ofadvocacy is maximum transfer of knowledge to the client/patient toadvocacy is maximum transfer of knowledge to the client/patient toensure that the latter has all the information needed to make anensure that the latter has all the information needed to make aninformed decision and take appropriateinformed decision and take appropriate action. Advocacy can rangefrom a posture of interceding, supporting, pleading to acting asguardian of the clients rights to autonomy and free choice.

6.6. Change AgentChange Agent

Corollary to the roles of a health teacher and counselor is that ofCorollary to the roles of a health teacher and counselor is that ofa change agent, i.e. changing individual, family, group or communitya change agent, i.e. changing individual, family, group or communitybehavior, including lifestyle and the environment, in order tobehavior, including lifestyle and the environment, in order topromote and maintain health.promote and maintain health. Motivates changes in health behaviorof individuals, families, group and community including lifestyle inorder to promote and maintain health.

7.7. Community OrganizerCommunity Organizer

In this roleIn this role the nurse stimulates and enhances the communitysparticipation in planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating

health programs and services, initiates community developmentactivities, develops or strengthens the communitys capabilities torecognize and manage health and health related problems.

8.8. Team MemberTeam Member

The community health nurse is a member of a health team thatThe community health nurse is a member of a health team thatincludes traditional health care providers, community health workersincludes traditional health care providers, community health workersandand volunteers as well as professionals in the health field and relatedintersectoral teams, and works with them in close coordination andcollaboration to enhance community health.

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9.9. Trainer, Supervisor, ManagerTrainer, Supervisor, Manager

The nurse often assumes the roles of trainer and supervisor orThe nurse often assumes the roles of trainer and supervisor orlower level health personnel such as the public health midwife,lower level health personnel such as the public health midwife,

community health workers and volunteers and traditional birthcommunity health workers and volunteers and traditional birthattendants (hilots). She also sometimes acts as a manager orattendants (hilots). She also sometimes acts as a manager oradministrator of a unit or program of the health agency, such as twoof a unit or program of the health agency, such as twoor more village/barrio health centers, of the Maternal and Childor more village/barrio health centers, of the Maternal and ChildHealth Program for the entire municipality.Health Program for the entire municipality.

Formulates individual, family, group and community centeredcare plan. Interprets and implements program policies, memorandaand circulars. Organizes work force, resources, equipments andsupplies and delivery of health care at local levels. Requisitions,allocates, distributes materials (medicine and medical supplies,

records and reports equipment).

10.10. Coordinator Of Health And Related ServicesCoordinator Of Health And Related Services

With the nurses holistic view of clients/patients and herWith the nurses holistic view of clients/patients and herprolongedprolonged and sustained contacts with individuals and families, she isin a position to coordinate services provided by various members ofthe health and related intersectoral teams. The objective ofcoordination is to ensure that services are delivered and received asa meaningful whole package, not as fragmented bits and pieces.

11.11. ResearcherResearcher

Planning and conduct of nursing and related studies thatPlanning and conduct of nursing and related studies thatcontribute to the improvement of nursing and health services, eithercontribute to the improvement of nursing and health services, eitheralone or independently, or in collaboration with other members ofalone or independently, or in collaboration with other members ofthe health and intersectoral teams.the health and intersectoral teams.

12.12. Role ModelRole Model

As health care provider the nurse is called upon to provide a goodAs health care provider the nurse is called upon to provide a goodexample of healthful living to the community, to practice andexample of healthful living to the community, to practice and

demonstrate what she preaches in matters concerning health, likedemonstrate what she preaches in matters concerning health, likepersonal and environmental hygiene, proper nutrition, avoidance ofpersonal and environmental hygiene, proper nutrition, avoidance ofunhealthy habits and a generally healthful lifestyle.unhealthy habits and a generally healthful lifestyle.