CHN

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Norlan Mark A.

Danigoy BSN 2-2 October 10, 2022


Post-task Activity
Let us ponder/reflect upon the importance of Public Health Nursing/Community
Health Nursing & Nurse nationally and globally through the reading.

1. After learning the importance of digital technology in the practice of other


allied health members during this critical time, what do you think community
health nurses do to reach out for their client’s in times of the pandemic?
Amidst the global increase and proliferation of covid-19 cases, the World
Health Organization, declared this coronavirus disease as a health emergency based
on the rising statistics of case notification rates. Almost three years later since that
declaration, the Covid-19 pandemic is still lurking within the community, although
not as grave as it was in the past years, the fear of case spikes or new modifications of
the virus is still a global concern. With this, almost every aspect of human living had
to be deconstructed and altered to fit this new world that we live in, a world we seem
to be sharing with a threat unseen. From an economic and social standpoint and even
in the aspects of education, communication, and many more, the pandemic has surely
remodeled what we know to be normal, implying the change towards a new normal
that is structured around the interest of safeguarding global health. One pillar of
society that has been greatly altered by the pandemic is our Healthcare system. The
limitations and dangers brought about by covid19 have engendered the use of social
distancing, contactless consultations, remote diagnostic techniques, AI, and
improved modern technology to ensure the delivery of healthcare without the risk of
infection from the virus.

With a problem so centered in the structures of society and heavily concerned


with the community’s health and wellbeing, community health nurses play a major
role in flattening the curve of the outbreak all while providing the basic and important
healthcare needs of the community. Through digital technology, community health
nurses are able to provide health teachings through webinars, online consults, and
even simple social media posts targeted for their clients and the community in
general. It is given that health teaching amongst the pandemic is of much importance
considering that these infections are preventable as long as you follow the set safety
protocols. With this, community nursing teams have adopted different ways to share
the needed health information to the majority of the community while lessening the
individual human contacts they make; to achieve such a goal, this is where public
information techniques come in. Through simple signs, flyers, and catchy radio
broadcast jingles about the pandemic, community health nurses are able to reach out
to their constituents. Community health nurses are the first responders to this global
health emergency, taking roles in contact tracing, education delivery, isolation
provision, hotline and home visits, and interpretation of set guidelines for this ever
changing situation. Furthermore, because hospitals, clinics, and health centers are
limiting the provision of their services, instead of the client going to these health
centers, community health nurses and healthcare workers are the ones providing
these services in the safety of the client’s home. Just with a simple call or message,
you will be able to receive healthcare services at home known as “home visits”
without exposing you to hospitals and clinics that have concentrated covid cases.
Similar to these services, CHNs may also provide mobile consultations and diagnostics
or shift from face-to-face consults to teleconsults to meet the needs of
social-distance.

The various modern and technological techniques applied by community health


nurses to still be able to provide healthcare services to the community atop the
pandemic is a valuable move in the advancements of community health nursing in
this ever-evolving healthcare landscape, molded by the pandemic.

2. Is Community Health Nursing still essential during the pandemic?


Without a doubt, community health nurses are the unsung heroes during this
time of the pandemic; a pandemic that has changed the course of the community now
more than ever. Just like how the nurses changed the trajectory of the Crimean war,
they are also the ones with the big guns as we fight off an invisible enemy that has
taken the life of millions. Public health nurses are the ones serving in the frontlines of
this global crisis that has impeded what we know to be the “normal” flow of life in the
community. They are the ones investigating and reaching out to individuals as they
contact-trace and hopefully prevent further community outbreaks of the disease.
CHNs are also the ones with a big role in the dissemination of information and deliver
educative roles to the community about the pandemic and the ways to stop the spread
and hopefully curb the numbers down. Community health nursing in this time of the
pandemic has never been more crucial considering that the provisions of their
services is what’s keeping the backbone of our society from collapsing on itself.
Without completely knowing it, we have been relying on their functions as nurses
considering that they are proven responders as these infectious diseases proliferate,
providing safe, efficient, effective, and just care to the communities in which they
chose to serve. Not to mention, the vaccination drives that have greatly lessened the
number of cases and deaths caused by the virus are led and provided by these nurses
all the while engaging with individuals to support and validate their personal
struggles and experiences, thereby reducing fear and stigmas. Furthermore,
community health nurses play a role in working with local government units to review
and improve the system in which their services are centered upon, allowing for open
discussions towards change and improvement of emergency plans, operations, and
provision of laws. Given this, it is without a doubt that community health nursing
provides an essential support and foundation that has kept the backbone of society
from collapsing in on itself as the weight of this pandemic has proven to be heavy and
destructive towards society.

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