Role of Population and Community Health Nursing

Question 1
Before taking this course, I had some thoughts on the actual role of Population and Community Health Nursing (PCHN). Based on the name of the profession, I knew that it had something to do with the promotion of the health and wellness of the whole community. To me, PCHN was not all about the provision of primary care to people within a given community. I thought PCHN must be more diverse including services such as disease prevention through health education, screening, and vaccination for some diseases. I thought PCHN must also include the provision of care for end-of-life patients. Based on my view of the roles of PCHN, I knew that the field must involve interdisciplinary teams due to the diversity of the services offered by this field. According to me, I thought that the registered nurses had the primary role to play in accomplishing the overall function of this body of healthcare.
Question 2
I do not have any experience working with or in Population and Community Health Nursing. However, I have some ideas on what the job entails. First, I think the job involves provision of health education to members of a given community with the aim of raising awareness on the possible health risks and ways of adopting healthy lifestyles. Second, I think the job relates to the provision of moral support to individuals in society. This involves reassuring people suffering from chronic illnesses as a preventive measure against psychological problems. Third, I think the profession includes the prevention of diseases through epidemiology. Fourth, I believe that the profession entails the provision of primary care to patients within a given community including the provision of emergency care. Fifth, I believe that the job also relates to the provision of palliative care to end-of-life patients. I think PCHN entails the promotion of health and wellness of the population of a given community.
Question 3
I do my practicum at Wyckoff’s “Women’s Health Center.” I specifically practice at the hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynecology department. I anticipate my practicum to have a significant positive impact on both my current job in the facility as well as my general nursing career. The facility provides a very suitable environment for nursing career development. Through the available state-of-the-art equipment, I anticipate leaving the practicum fully equipped with the skills of using different modern equipment in the delivery of healthcare services to patients in the OB/GYN department. Also, by interacting with highly skilled physicians, I anticipate acquiring newly refined skills in the provision of nursing services in the OB/GYN department. I anticipate that the practicum will enhance my career as a nurse by influencing my ability to work in a team as well as relate well with patients to increase patient satisfaction.
Question 4
I think there is a significant difference between the role of a PCHN and that of a bedside nurse. A bedside nurse is more concerned with improving the surroundings of hospitalized patients or any patient on bed rest. This involves providing a calm environment with all the required facilities for a bedridden patient. The bedside nurse is mainly concerned with the provision of primary care to patients including medication and therapy services. On the other hand, a PCHN focuses on enhancing the environment of people in any setting including homes, workplace, and play field. A PCHN promotes the health and wellness of individuals mostly through health education and provision of moral support. A PCHN takes the role of having a personal contact with community members to identify the major issues facing them. Whereas bedside nurses are mainly concerned with offering therapeutic services, a PCHN focuses more on providing disease prevention measures.