Public Health Nursing, County of San Benito

Public Health Nursing

Since the 1890s public health nursing has been a vital force in this country’s health care system. Protecting the public’s health, promoting health and preventing disease and injuries have always been the goals of public health nursing practice. From its inception, the profession of nursing has been rooted in advocacy with a holistic approach of family-centered care, and community wellness.

Public Health Nurses are men or women who have graduated from a four-year college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and have a Certificate of Public Health Nursing. They are licensed and registered by the State of California. They help individuals and families stay as healthy as possible through health teaching and nursing services in the home, the community or in clinics.

Public Health Nurses help mothers, babies, and families by visiting you in your home, referring you to other services, check on growth and development, and teaching about:

Taking care of yourself when pregnant
How to care for babies and children
How to talk with your babies and children
Which foods are best for health
Whatis healthy exercise
Making your home and car safe to prevent injuries
How and why breastfeeding is best for baby
Taking care of your mouth and teeth
Keeping poisons out of children’s reach
How to prevent illnesses
Helping families get other help for complicated problems
How to plan for a healthy family
The importance of health check ups, including vision and hearing checkups
How to get health care and health insurance
Keeping food safe

Public Health Nurses promote health and prevent disease by:

Finding health problems in the community
Teaching about safety and healthy living
Investigating diseases that can be passed from one person to another
Giving vaccines that prevent diseases
Home visits and coordinating care
Working with the community to solve gaps in health services
Being ready for emergencies or disasters



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Disclaimer County of San Benito Health & Human Services Agency Public Health Division 439 Fourth Street - Hollister, CA -95023 Telephone; (831) 637-5367 Fax: (831) 637-9073 2008, County of San Benito Health & Human Services Agency Public Health Division. All Rights Reserved.