iv. Roles of the Nurse in Caring for Communities and Population Group

a-b. Supervisor and Manager:- formulates care plan.- interprets and implements program policies, memoranda and circulars.- organizes workforce, resources, equipments and supplies in delivery of health care at local levels.-conducts regular supervisory visits and meetings and gives feedback on accomplishments/performances.

c. Health Care Provider:- provides direct nursing care to the sick, disable. -provides continuity of patient care.

d. Community Organizer:- responsible for motivating and enhancing the community participation- initiate and participates in community development activities

e. Health Care Services Coordinator:- coordinates with individuals, families and groups.

Education Role-it is used for promoting public health for two reasons:

1. Community clients usually are not acutely ill and can absorb and act on health information

2. Educator role in community health nursing is significant because a wider audience can be reached.

Cont’d- With emphasis on populations,

educational efforts of community health nursing are appropriately targeted to reach many people.

level of consciousness

level of wellness

Health education can affect the health

status of people of all ages. (Bastable,2006; Pender et al., 2005)

Some topics that the community-living need and want to know about.Family PlanningWeight ControlSmoking CessationStress ReductionWhat foods and additives are

safe to eat.

Health Monitor- The community health nurse assures that the goal must be met.

Role Model(Nurse as a Leader)

- Directs activities- Influences- Persuades- Motivates

• Ensure a two-way communication• Negotiate conflicts (e.g. money).

Change Agent (Leadership Role)

- Leadership role focuses on effecting change thus, the nurse becomes an agent of change

- Seeks to influence people to think and behave differently about their health and the factors contributing to it. (e.g. A disease that is spreading in your community.)

Change Agent (Leadership Role)

- Stimulates industry’s interest in health promotion

- Initiate group therapy (e.g. Those who plan to have a diet.)

- Directs a preventive program. (e.g. reoccurence)

Encoder-they record gathered data

Research RoleThey investigate needs of the

society.Applying scientific knowledge to

technical practice.

v. Brief History of Community Health/Public Health Nursing Practice in the Philippines.

1901- Act No.157of the Philippine Commission created a Board of Health of the Philippines which also acted as the Board of Health for the City of Manila. Subsequently, Act of No.309 created Provincial and Municipal Boards of Health.

1905 - Act No. 1407 (Reorganization Act) abolished the Board of Health and its function and activities were taken over by the Bureau of Health under the Department of Interior.

1906 - District Health Offices headed by District Health Offices had jurisdiction over health districts.

1912 - The Fajardo Act (Act No. 2156) created Sanitary Divisions. The President, Sanitary Division (forerunners of the present Municipal Health Officers) took charge of two or three municipalities. Where there were no physicians available, male nurses were assigned to perform the duties of the President, Sanitary Divisions.

1915 - The Bureau of Health was renamed Philippine Health Service with a Director of Health as its head. The Service was placed under the Department of Public Instruction with the Vice-Governor as the Department Secretary.- Reorganization Act No. 2462 created the Office of General Inspection. The Office of District Nursing was organized under this office.

1916-1918 – Miss Perlita Clark took charge of the Public Health Nursing Work.

1918 – the office of “Miss Clark” was abolished due to “lack of funds”

1927 – Office of the District Nursing under the Office of the General Inspection, Philippine Health Service was abolished and supplanted by the Section of Public Health Nursing.

1933 – Reorganization Act No. 4007 transferred the Division of Maternal and Child Health of the Office of Public Welfare Commission to the Bureau of Health.

1940 – The Manila Health Department was created by virtue of the new charter of the City of Manila

October 7, 1947 – Executive Order No. 94 reorganized government offices and created the Division of Nursing under the Office of the Secretary of Health. This was implemented on December 16, 1947.

1953 – Creation of the Office of Health Education and Personnel Training (forerunner of Health Manpower development and Training Service)

1953 – Philippine Congress approved Republic Act No. 1082 or the Rural Health Law. It created the first 81 Rural Health Units.

1957 – Approval of Republic Act 1891 which amended Sections of R.A. 1082 “Strengthening Health and Dental Services in the Rural Areas and Providing Funds Thereto”

1990-1992 – The Local Government Code of 1991 (R.A. 7160) was passed and implemented. This resulted in devolution, which transferred the power and authority from the National to the Local Government units.

1993-1998 – The National League of Nurses, Inc., Board of members and advisers made repeated representations to create an Office of Nursing but were not given priority.

May 24, 1999 – Executive No. 102 was signed by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, redirecting the functions and operations of the Department of Health.