Nursing: Public Health, Essay Example

Description of Current Knowledge – Public Health Nursing

Public health nursing is a branch of nursing practice committed to providing health care services to the public with the focus on prevention of disease through health promotion efforts. Public health in itself is a discipline with the goal of investigating population’s health through surveillance; monitoring incidences and relevant interventions that enhancehealth among diverse communities. According to world health Organization standards the public health nurse’s role encompasses actively participating in disease prevention through execution of vaccination programs; health screening in high risk populations and educating the public as it relates to disaster preparedness (Turnock, 2009).

These efforts are undertaken at various levels in under developed; developing and developed nations alike. The nurse collaborates with health care systems within these countries and non-governmental organizations in embracing global health care intervention strategies. World health Organization sanctions these efforts by establishing protocols informing nurse’s function (Breslow, 2002).

Examples of Public Health in your community.

Examples of public health in my community are healthcare centers encouraging citizens to be HIV screened; diabetic education groups; drug rehabilitation clinics; psychiatric intervention and elder care daycare activities. Also public health efforts pertain to proper disposal of refuse; keeping the environment free of debris and water logging that breathe mosquitos and flies(Novick, Morrow, Glen, & Mays, 2008).

Maintaining a safe sewage system to avoid fecal and drinking water contamination is an example of another community public effort. Contamination could create an outbreak of typhoid within that community. Public health enforcements evidence in the community also relate to code enforcements regarding zoning and building regulations(Novick et.al, 2008).

References

Breslow, L. (2002). Encyclopedia of Public Health. New York: Macmillan

Novick, L. Morrow. C. Glen, P., &Mays, G. (2008). Public Health Administration: Principles for Population-Based Management (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Pub.

Turnock, B. (2009). Public Health: What It Is and How It Works (4th ed.). MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.