Building a career as a public health nurse is a great privilege and any profession that involves the people is built on mutual respect, trust, and confidentiality. As one of the most important professions within the health care industry, nurses are highly respected in society and public health nurses are greatly admired in the community because of the specialized service they render. From its humble beginning at the height of the Roman Empire in 300 A.D to the revolutionary era championed by Florence Nightingale (the mother of modern nursing), the profession has continued to be the symbol of care, trust, and empathy in the health care industry.
Ethical issues in Public health nursing
There are several ethical issues in community health nursing and public health nurses are expected to abide by public health ethical principles, the code of conduct for public health nurses is explicitly spelled out in the recently revised international council of Nursing (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses. First adopted in 1953 as the gold standard for ethics, professional standards, and everyday choices, the codes serve as the guiding document for nursing practice worldwide. See – Private School Of Nursing In Nigeria
What A Public Health Nurse Should Not Do
- Fail To Respect Human Rights And Right To Life
Public health nursing practice involves interaction with a large population. In the process of discharging their responsibility to the community, public health nurses must not fail to respect the rights of the citizens they serve. It has been observed in several instances especially in cases involving drug addiction and contraception that health care personnel often violate these rights.
- Not Participate In Activities That Conflicts With Caring And Healing
Public health Nurses have the right to decline participation in any activity that conflicts with caring and healing. Public health nurses must not fail to use this right when the need arises.
- Never Confront A Colleague Publicly
As torchbearers in the health sector, public health nurses must comport themselves with dignity and always act professionally. Keeping tempers in check is one of the hallmarks of the nursing profession. Losing your temper in the community clinic, school, nursing station, or in front of the public you serve could significantly undermine your efforts in the community or population.
- Never Lie to the Population you Serve.
The nursing profession is one of the most trusted professions in the world. When a population cannot trust you, they will never believe you. This is why a public health nurse must strive at all times to provide truthful and accurate information devoid of exaggeration, assumptions, and hearsay. READ: How To Become An Auxiliary Nurse In Nigeria
- Never Undermine the need for Work-Life Balance
Nursing practice can take a significant amount of your time and energy. The stress and the demands of the job could sometimes put a strain on your family or relationship. This is why it is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Finding a unique way to unwind is an excellent way to relieve stress and regain lost energy.
- Don’t Disrespect the Community you Serve
Without the population, it will be impossible for you to effectively carry out your duty as a public health nurse. Showing disrespect (in words or actions) to the community you operate in could short circuit your career as a public health nurse.
- Don’t Impose Personal or Religious Believe on The Community
Serving as a public health nurse is an opportunity to meet health needs and must never be used as a platform for promoting personal ideology or religious leanings under whatever circumstance. In the discharge of their duties, public health nurses must be professional at all times. See The Top 5 School Of Nursing
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