National Nurses Week: A Legacy of Public Health Nursing
As we celebrate #NationalNursesWeek, we honor the powerful legacy of Public Health Nurses—trailblazers who’ve shaped the health of entire communities for over a century.
In the early 1900s, Lillian Wald, a pioneering nurse and social reformer, founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City. She coined the term “Public Health Nurse” and revolutionized how care was delivered—bringing nursing out of hospitals and into the homes, schools, and streets where people needed it most.
That same spirit lives on today in every Public Health Nurse working to address health disparities, promote equity, and respond to crises with compassion and courage.
Here’s how Nevada County Public Health Nurses support our community:
1. Community Outreach & Education
We teach individuals and groups about health topics like nutrition, disease prevention, immunizations, and mental wellness—tailoring information to cultural and local needs.
2. Disease Prevention & Immunization
We lead vaccination clinics, conduct screenings (e.g., for tuberculosis or sexually transmitted infections), and provide follow-up care to help prevent disease outbreaks.
3. Disaster & Emergency Response
We are vital in public health crises—responding to pandemics, natural disasters, and environmental health threats. We organize care, distribute resources, and coordinate with other health agencies.
4. School & Maternal-Child Health
We work in schools or with families, supporting childhood development, safe parenting practices, and access to prenatal/postnatal care.
5. Health Policy & Advocacy
We gather data, assess community health needs, and help shape policies that promote equity, access, and safety—especially for vulnerable populations.
6. Case Management & Home Visits
We help clients navigate complex healthcare and social systems, often conducting in-home visits to support chronic disease management, medication adherence, and safe living conditions.
In short: Public Health Nurses are preventers, educators, advocates, and protectors of community health. They work upstream—tackling root causes of illness before they require hospital care. Their impact is lasting and profound.
