Community Nurse Assessment In Nursing

Assessment:
Nurses have the skills and knowledge gained from the multidisciplinary team, profession and semi-profession personnel which can be used to acquire an insight information about the patient. Assessment and follow up by the nurse in community helps to identify the risk and level of care needs (Ryan et al 2006). This helps the nurse to plan interventions and develop programs for best practice care. For example, if a person presents with any signs of dementia, it is very important to get an accurate past history of the patient. This help the nurse and care giver to manage and give the best care possible.
Managing patients medical and experiences of patient illness:
In Ryan et al (2006) study, participants described nurse as central of
However, Kralik and Telford (2007) identifies the role of community nurse is to minimize the fragmentation of the care and filling the gaps by regular assessment, maintaining follow ups and communicating clients with multidisciplinary team. They often act as patient’s advocator, case manager and coordinator (Kralik and Telford 2007). Although many studies were done dementia care, and mental health community roles, there are very little studies on role of community nurse role in caring people with dementia. This is a big gap and need for study on role of community nurse and their challenges (which will be discussed) can be identified as an urgent call.
Challenges of community nurses:
Studies indicate that the roles and challenges of community nurse caring for people with dementia and older people are slightly different from countries to countries though not major ones (Philibin 2009). The common challenges are Lack of strong policies, underfund, work load, aging population, ethical issues (Philibin 2009; Taua 2012; McGrath and O’Callaghan 2014; Todd et al 2010). All of these studies emphasis on need to explore and understand the problems of community nurse in general and in caring for clients with mental health problems.
Despite of the effort of the government to fund for the healthcare systems, number of studies show that care for dementia is underfunded and overlooked. Moreover, like in other countries, Ireland community nurses are underpaid for the care and effort that they make in demonstrating the best care.
Lack of knowledge and other services: The need of insight knowledge about the client, his condition(dementia) and other supporting roles are essential to deliver an appropriate care (Taun 2012) but, many of the community nurse are undertrained on dementia care. Similarly, McGrath O’Callaghan (2014) points out the challenges of CHNs due to lack of care services to dementia patient to implement occupational therapies. Many of them are either not accessed to the services or unable to effort for the