NR 442 Week 4 Community & Occupational Health Nursing Notes

NR 442 Week 4 Community & Occupational Health Nursing Notes

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-442 Community Health Nursing

Prof. Name:

Date

Nursing Care in Community Settings

Importance of Nurses in Community Health

Nurses play a crucial role in community settings by promoting preventive health, encouraging healthy behaviors, and advocating for patients. Their responsibilities include direct care, educating the public on health matters, and conducting community-based research. These efforts contribute to improved patient outcomes, better quality of life, and dignified end-of-life care. By providing holistic care that respects cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, nurses help reduce health disparities and foster equity in healthcare delivery (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2020).

Specializations in Community Health Nursing

Community health nurses operate in various specialties to address diverse needs within the community. These include services tailored to:

Community-Based Nursing Roles

• School Health: Nurses integrate health promotion into school curricula, manage programs, and collaborate with educators.
• Occupational Health: Focused on preventing workplace injuries, enhancing productivity, and decreasing absenteeism.
• Nurse-Managed Clinics: Deliver nursing-led care, particularly in health promotion and chronic disease management.
• Parish Nursing: Nurses embedded in communities provide care to elders and home-bound individuals, often with a spiritual foundation.
• Community Health Centers: Clinics associated with hospitals or community groups offering primary care to specific populations.
• Medical Offices: Nurses work in tandem with healthcare providers to offer diagnosis and treatment.
• Forensic Settings: Nurses in these environments address medical-legal issues such as abuse, neglect, and violence.
• Correctional Facilities: Provide direct care to inmates and detainees, often requiring forensic knowledge.

Discharge Planning and Referrals

Nurses assess needs and direct clients to services such as mental health support, therapy, social services, home care, and emergency housing. They determine whether a nurse-initiated referral is sufficient or if a provider’s prescription is needed.

Role of Nurse Case Managers

Nurse case managers coordinate care across different healthcare settings to prevent fragmented services. They employ clinical judgment in care planning, focus on client-specific goals, and are responsible for managing financial aspects, improving care outcomes, and ensuring continuity of care (Finkelman & Kenner, 2021).

Module 3: Occupational Health Nursing

Key Occupational Health Issues

Many workers lack healthcare coverage and face hazardous work environments. Common health risks include:

Globally, over 12 million workers die annually from non-communicable diseases, often due to poor occupational health practices (WHO, 2017).

Responsibilities of Occupational Health Nurses

1. Evaluate how work impacts employee health.
2. Maintain confidentiality and follow legal and ethical standards.
3. Administer treatment for work-related injuries.
4. Maintain OSHA-required records.
5. Use and manage employee health records.
6. Oversee workers’ compensation.
7. Assess limitations and advise on job placements.
8. Conduct hearing tests (audiometry).
9. Implement confidentiality protocols.
10. Monitor employee health trends.

NR 442 Week 4 Community & Occupational Health Nursing Notes

Legal Framework for Occupational Health

• OSHA (1970): Ensures a hazard-free workplace.
• State Workers’ Compensation Acts: Provide income and medical benefits for work-related incidents.
• ADA (1990): Mandates fair treatment and accommodations for disabled workers.

Competencies and Risk Management

The AAOHN outlines ethical, practice-based, and professional competencies for occupational health nurses. Nurses must document thoroughly, follow policies, report incidents, and keep skills current to mitigate risks and liabilities.

Module 4: Forensic and Correctional Nursing

Role of Forensic Nurses

Forensic nursing combines health care with legal processes. These nurses assess, document, and treat trauma from violence, provide testimony, and aid in investigations. Their practice bridges healthcare, community safety, and legal justice systems.

Global and Community Impact

Forensic nurses contribute to global health by identifying violence early, developing intervention policies, and ensuring holistic care for victims. Their participation in data tracking aids public health efforts.

Functions of Forensic Nurses

Training and Credentials

Forensic nurses may enter practice through certificates, graduate programs (APRN, DNP, or PhD), and specialized credentials such as SANE certification. Evidence collection is integral, involving documentation, biological sampling, and photographic records.

Specialized Forensic Roles

• Nurse Coroner/Death Investigator: Determine cause of death through investigation and clinical analysis.
• Forensic Psychiatric Nurse: Conduct mental competency assessments and provide psychological care.
• Correctional Nurse: Offer care for inmates, including disease management and trauma treatment.

Referral Process

Registered nurses can directly refer clients to forensic services without a provider’s prescription. Common cases involve sexual assault, abuse, trafficking, or violence.

Module 5: Home Health Nursing

Types of Services

Reimbursement and Eligibility

Eligibility for reimbursement generally requires homebound status, care under a licensed provider, and a medical necessity for skilled nursing. Medicare supports these services through a prospective payment model (CMS, 2021).

Benefits and Referrals

Home care is cost-effective and often supported by insurance. Referrals come from healthcare providers, social services, discharge planners, and families. The ultimate goal is to maintain client health within the home setting.

Module 6: Hospice Nursing

Scope of Hospice Care

Hospice focuses on comfort for those with life expectancies under six months, whereas palliative care addresses symptom relief for serious illness regardless of prognosis. Both provide compassionate, client-centered care (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 2020).

Nurse Responsibilities

Hospice nurses deliver medication, manage symptoms, and offer psychosocial and spiritual support. They provide a comforting presence during the final stages of life and ensure clients are not alone when they pass. Quality initiatives and self-care are integral to sustaining hospice practice.

Pain and Symptom Management

Pain is addressed through scheduled and PRN medications. Nurses also treat secondary symptoms such as nausea and fatigue. Client-reported pain is prioritized over clinical impressions.

Caregiver Support

Nurses evaluate caregiver competence and hours of service needed. They arrange respite care and provide emotional support to mitigate caregiver burnout.

References

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). Home health prospective payment system.

Finkelman, A., & Kenner, C. (2021). Professional nursing concepts: Competencies for quality leadership (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. (2020). Facts and figures: Hospice care in America.

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Foundations for population health in community/public health nursing (5th ed.). Elsevier.

NR 442 Week 4 Community & Occupational Health Nursing Notes

World Health Organization. (2017). Protecting workers’ health series no. 10: Healthy workplaces: A model for action.