[The role of the nurse in the field of public health]

Abstract

Objective: Identify the role of public health nurses and differentiate it from that of community care nurses in the context of Catalonia, through the experiences and perspectives of professionals in the field of public health.

Method: Descriptive phenomenological qualitative study. Fourteen interviews were conducted with key informants, from the field of public health and community care, selected by i purposive sampling. Content analysis using thematic methodology, creation of categories from the triangulation of results.

Results: The professional competencies and functions performed by nursing in the field of public health are analysed. Most of the specific functions were the ones related to "care" and the "global vision" of health. The indeterminacy of functions and roles, related to gender inequality, leads to a low recognition of the profession and a lack of appropriateness of the professional category, reflected in a low presence of nurses in management positions in public health. Although some competencies are shared with the family and community nurse, there are also differences.

Conclusions: This study sheds light on the role of public health nursing, often overlooked. It is urgent to define public health nurses role and functions, in order to avoid inequalities and increase their recognition.

Keywords: Community health nurse; Competencias profesionales; Enfermera de salud comunitaria; Enfermería; Enfermería especializada; Investigación cualitativa; Nurse specialist; Nursing; Professional competence; Public health; Qualitative research; Salud pública.