What is the main focus of public health nursing?

The main focus of public health nursing is on population health management. This approach is centered around the health outcomes of entire populations rather than just individual patients. Public health nurses analyze health trends, assess community health needs, and implement programs designed to improve the health of different population groups.

By addressing the health needs of populations, public health nursing aims to prevent diseases, promote health, and ensure access to health services. This might involve activities such as health education initiatives, vaccination campaigns, and the development of health policies that enhance community health outcomes. The emphasis on populations allows public health nurses to identify broad health issues and implement preventive measures that can positively impact large groups, ultimately working towards the goal of improving public health on a larger scale.

Individual patient care, community engagement, and healthcare policy advocacy are all important components of nursing and healthcare, but they are secondary to the overarching objective of managing and improving health at the population level. Thus, while public health nurses may engage in aspects of community engagement and advocacy, their primary role is to focus on the health of the population they serve.