Public health nurse contributions

The rich history of public health nursing illustrates the enduring contribution nurses have made in responding to disasters and aiding communities in their recovery process. Public health has always been about protecting and promoting the health of entire communities. From the time Florence Nightingale walked the halls of the wards at Scutari, public health nurses (PHN) have used their skills of assessment, intervention, and evaluation to improve health outcomes. Their influence has contributed to the... 

In war-torn countries, fleeing refugees may be placed in refugee camps until they are free to return to their towns or leave their country. Life in refugee camps provides its own set of circumstances that contribute to the potential for the spread of infectious diseases. Nurses and health care professionals must collaborate with public health officials to conduct surveillance for infectious disease... 

Nurses should be familiar with the types and consequences of commonly occurring natural disasters in order to contribute to public health efforts to prevent, mitigate, and recover from these events. 

---