PHILOSOPHY and THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK of COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

Peter Aristotle C. Dela CruzURC Graduate School

Objectives:

At the end of the report, graduate students will be able to:

1. Understand the concept of Philosophy and Theoretical Framework in relation to Community Health Nursing

2. Enumerate the different Philosophies for Community Health Nursing Practice

3. Apply the Philosophical and theoretical Framework concepts to actual Philippine Health Care Setting

Philosophy

set or system of beliefs that provides a basis and guide for action

includes general beliefs, concepts, attitudes, ethical considerations and guidelines, as well as values that explain the way a life is lived, or the manner in which an organization is run or how a profession is practiced.

Theoretical Framework

refers to the basic structure of ideas, concepts, beliefs and principles proposed or followed as the basic conduct of the

particular profession.

Being aware of the philosophy and theoretical framework for practice of a profession makes the

action of practitioners well-directed, purposive and systematic, and consequently productive and

effective.

PHILOSOPHY FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE

1. Nursing is a unique and distinct component of health care.

2. CHN subscribes to the philosophy of interdependence among the health professions.

3. As a special field of nursing practice, CHN shares the humanistic beliefs and values of the nursing profession.

4. CHN believes in the primacy of health as a goal and as essential element that affects the quality of life of individuals, families, groups and communities.

5. The goal of nursing is independence and self-reliance in health care for the client/ patient- be it an individual, a family, a group or the whole community.

PHILOSOPHY FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE

6. Nursing, in general, and CHN in particular, recognizes the relationship of non-health interventions in the solution of health problems.

7. To achieve the goal of community health, the nurse works with, not for, individual clients/patients, families, specific population groups and the community at large.

8. Nursing goals and standards of care should consider constraints imposed by client, health agency and community resources.

9. CHN practice is not a body or set of the same repeating tasks.

10. Nurses have the responsibility to keep their knowledge and skills current and up-to-date according to developments in nursing, public health and other related sciences.

The framework provides direction and guidelines to the community health nurse in terms of who or

to whom she/he is giving care, who should receive care in the face of limited time and

resources, the objectives of her/his actions and intervention measures, and the how of providing

care and delivering nursing services.

The use and application of the philosophy and theoretical framework for CHN practice would

bolster nursing as a profession, making a distinction between professional nursing care and the care

provided by people and auxiliary health workers.