Changing focus of practice for community health nurses: Advancing the practice role
Ailsa Munns
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Jill Downie
Head, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Jane Hubble
Community Nurse, East Metropolitan Health Service, Western Australian Department of Health, Bentley Community Centre, Perth WA
Dianne Wynaden
School of Nursing, Curtin University of Technology, Perth; Directorate of Mental Health, Fremantle Hospital and Health Service, WA
PP: 208 - 213
Abstract
Many parents lack support in their parenting role that was once provided through extended families and community structures. Thus some new parents experience high levels of stress and low self-esteem associated with the challenges of parenting. The lack of support also results in family discord and breakdown with the family environment having the potential to adversely impact children's mental and physical wellbeing and development.
The Community Mothers Program (CMP) was initially developed in England and offers support to families during the first year of parenting. The program aims to provide parents with the support once experienced from within the extended family. It also aims to enrich community development by building the capacity of community members living in local communities to support parents.
This paper describes the impact of the CMP when implemented into Western Australian as well as the changes to the professional practice role of community child health nurses involved in the program. The Community Mothers Program has proved to be very successful. The success is attributed to the partnership model established between community members, parents and child health nurses.
Keywords
Community Mothers Program; partnership; volunteers; parenting; child health nurses
References
Anderson E & McFarlane J (2000): Community as a partner. (3rd ed) Lippincott, Philadelphia.
Barker W (1984): The child development program: A collaborative program linking parents, community and health visitors. University of Bristol, Early Childhood Development Unit, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Barker W & Anderson R (1988): The child development program: An evaluation of process and outcomes (Evaluation Document No. 9). University of Bristol, Early Childhood Development Unit, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Barker, W. (1995):The key to empowering parents during visits. Unpublished paper. Early Childhood Development Centre, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Downie J (in press) Empowerment and advocacy. In: St John W & Kelleher H (ed.) Community Health Nursing Practice: Theory, Skill and Issues, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.
Hertzman C (2002): An Early Child Development Strategy for Australia? Lessons from Canada. Issue Paper Number 1. Commission for Children and Young People. Queensland Government Publication, Brisbane.
Hubble J (2003): (personal communication, June 3, 2003).
Leyshon S 2002: Empowering practitioners: an unrealistic expectation of nurse education. Journal of Advanced Nursing 40(4): 466-474.
Marshall J & Craft K (2000): New Vision for Community Health Services for the Future report. Health Department of Western Australia Perth, Western Australia.
McCain M & Mustard JF (1999): Reversing the real brain drain. Early Years Study. Final report. Publications Ontario, Toronto, Canada.
McMurray A (2003): Community health and wellness. A sociological approach (2nd ed), CV Mosby, Sydney.
Miller M & Hubble J (1998): Working in partnership with the community. Shifting the power. What are the health gains for families? Paper presented at the Community Health Nurses Western Australia Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia.
Miller M (1999): Integrated community mothers program (home based parent support): A home visiting strategy of empowerment. Curtin University of Technology (unpublished report), Perth, Western Australia.
Miller M & Hughes B (1999): A community partnership with parents: investing in the future. Australian Journal of Primary Health- Interchange 5(4): 28-35.
eContent Home
