Reflection of a public health nurse

discipline of handwashing program in enlightens has been a challenge to the medical team peculiarly among macrocosm health nurses. some(prenominal) questions could be raised in the beginning this program be implemented. As public health nurse, what can I contribute in the handwashing program in school? Is my knowledge sufficient enough to initiate a program that could be of great encourage to e precisebody especially to baberen? What are the informations and materials do I need to acquire to help me with this handwashing program?As public health nurse, I am one of the witnesses of the proper and wrong ways of hand sanitation among children. It is very important that this practice is initiated in schools among students. The importance of handwashing should be instilled in the minds of the students. They should be informed of what may be the possible diseases or illnesses that can be acquired without handwashing. They should practice on how and when to wash their hands.Handwash ing remains the most cost effective way of disease spread prevention such as colds, flu, infectious diarrhea and even hepatitis A (Quan, 2006). Since elementary school children are the most amenable of acquiring the infection with unwashed hands, Morton (2004) conducted a study that determines the effectivity of an alcohol gel as an adjunct to handwashing. This study resulted in reducing absenteeism secondary to infectious illness.Campaign on hand hygiene through handwashing can be more effective if there are materials that could remind every school child about it. As public health nurse, we can conduct a program that needs parents and childrens participation. The program will showcase the importance and proper ways of handwashing. Parents and school teachers will be presumption guidelines on how school children would be reminded of practicing handwashing.Based on the transtheoretical model, there are three primary components of changes to undergo to derive the goal of the prog ram (Prochaska, DiClemente, & Norcross, 1992). According to the model, the people must pass through the stages of changes. At first, it is important to earn the problem. In handwashing program in school, it is very important to impart to the children even to the teachers and parents that their behavior towards the program is very crucial in the attainment of its objectives.They must bear in mind that this program will help them in prevention of acquiring disease. After this stage, they should be ready for some changes in their individual habits especially when it comes to handwashing. Since children may not be ready for any changes in handwashing habit, it is very helpful for them if they could see or read some informations regarding the program.Placing some notes or posters of reminders on the board or walls in school would be advisable. Make them reader- friendly. Making it colorful, with graphics and pictures would surely attract their attention. They should be reminded to wash their hands when they are dirty, to begin with and after eating and after using the bathroom. Children should be encouraged to use tissue paper when blowing and wiping their nose. even out after playing with domestic animals such as cats and dogs. It is also important to wash their hands before and after playing with their friends (Quan, 2006).In this part, changes are made in individuals behaviour and practices toward handwashing. Action of the teachers and parents would play a loose role. It is advisable to make the environment suitable for the children just like making the sink at their take aim of reach. Most of the children are not fond of washing their hands after the activity because the sink is alike high for them. Soap and towel should also be present. Finally, it should be borne in mind the integration of the changes made.As public health nurses, we should be ready to attend to the needs of the people especially when it concerns with the implementation of health polic y. It would be easier if the people are concerned enough to the welfare of one another. Program like this, handwashing in school is just the beginning of a more serious way towards healthy life. The most important social function is that there are individuals who are willing to lend their hands to help for the betterment of everybody. I weigh this is just one of the most important roles the public health nurses play.