You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts.
Post #1
Jenna Horgan
NUR 420
Professor Roberts
January 12, 2023
Who are the clients in Community Health nursing?
Individuals, families, and groups who live in a specific geographic area and may be at risk for health problems or in need of health services are considered clients in community health nursing. People of all ages, from infants to the elderly, as well as those with physical, mental, or social challenges, may be included. The purpose of community health nursing is to promote the health and well-being of the entire community by addressing the health needs of its individual members (Rector & Stanley, 2021). Community health nurses work with clients to identify and address health risks, provide health and wellness education, and connect clients to suitable health services.
What government resources might they be eligible for?
Individuals and families may be eligible for a variety of government resources depending on their circumstances. Some of these resources are intended specifically for people with low incomes or who are experiencing financial hardship, while others are open to anyone who meets certain criteria. Among the resources available to them are (ISPOR, n.d):
1. Medicaid: It is a federal-state partnership program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families. Individuals must meet income and asset limits, as well as other requirements, to be eligible.
2. Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): It is a federally funded program that provides health insurance to low-income children that are not eligible for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance. It provides coverage for a variety of medical services, such as preventive care, doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications. Eligibility is determined by income and family size.
3. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): It is also known as food stamps and it provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families in order for them to purchase food. Income and assets, as well as other factors, determine SNAP eligibility.
4. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): This program helps low-income families with children by providing financial assistance as well as other services such as job training and childcare. Income and assets, as well as other factors, determine TANF eligibility.
5. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): It is program funded by the federal government that provides low-income households with financial assistance to help them pay for home energy costs such as heating and cooling. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers the program, which is intended to assist households that are struggling to pay their energy bills and may face having their service disconnected. Eligibility is determined by income and family size.
What agencies are responsible for those resources?
There are numerous agencies that provide resources for clients in community health nursing. Federal agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Department of Health and Human Services may be responsible for providing these resources (HHS). Clients in community health nursing may also be served by state and local agencies such as state health departments and local health clinics (Lundy & Janes, 2014). Non-profit organizations like the American Red Cross and the United can also aid in dispensing resources.
References
ISPOR – US Healthcare System Overview-Backgound. (n.d.). https://www.ispor.org/heor-resources/more-heor-resources/us-healthcare-system-overview/us-healthcare-system-overview-background-page-1
Lundy, K. S., & Janes, S. (2014). Community Health Nursing: Caring for the Public’s Health: Caring for the Public’s Health (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Rector, C., & Stanley, M. J. (2021). Community and Public Health Nursing (Tenth, North American). LWW.
Post #2
Community Health Nursing
Community health nursing also referred to as public health nursing, is a specialized practice of nursing that focuses on providing health services, prophylaxis, and health training to the community. Community health nursing aims to advance and safeguard the well-being of the members of the community. It maximizes the health condition of individuals, families, groups, and the community through direct contact. It puts into consideration the physical, psychological, and social well-being of members of the community. Community health nurses work in various environments, such as public health clinics, community centers, schools, and private practices.
In community health nursing, clients can range from individuals to entire populations. For instance, they may work with individuals and families in a home health setting, providing preventive care, health education, and treatment of various illnesses (Mengistu & Misganaw, 2007). They may also work with larger populations, such as a school or community, to provide health promotion, disease prevention, and health education services. However, in most cases, healthcare nurses deal with the community, not anyone.
Public health nurses work to ensure their clients have access to the resources they require to maintain high health standards (Mengistu & Misganaw, 2007). Various governmental resources are available to aid community members in accessing health care services. These resources may include but are not limited to; Medicaid, Medicare, and other government health insurance programs. Furthermore, programs are available to assist individuals and families with basic needs such as food, housing, and transportation.
There are different governmental resources available to clients in community health nursing. At the national level, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provide monetary assistance for medical care, health insurance, and other services to those who meet the requirements (USA.gov, 2019). Moreover, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide research and funding for health promotion and disease prevention programs. At the state level, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health care and other services to low-income households (HealthCare.gov, 2018). In addition, many states offer programs such as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide nutritional assistance to needy families. At the local level, county or city health departments may provide immunizations, screenings, and other services, as well as community health clinics that offer primary care and preventive health services.
In summary, community health nursing is an essential practice that targets public health and the prevention of an illness. Community health nurses provide healthcare to individuals and communities with limited healthcare services and work to ensure their clients have access to the resources they need to maintain high health standards. Government resources such as Medicaid, Medicare, and other government health insurance programs are there to help individuals and communities access health care services. Additionally, many non-profit organizations provide additional resources to promote healthcare in society.
References
HealthCare.gov. (2018). Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Eligibility Requirements. HealthCare.gov. https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/
Mengistu, D., & Misganaw, E. (2007). LECTURE NOTES Community Health Nursing. https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/health/ephti/library/lecture_notes/nursing_students/comm_hlth_nsg_final.pdf
USA.gov. (2019). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services | USAGov. Usa.gov. https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services
