Spotlight on Public Health

The recent events brought on by SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) have propelled the enterprise of Public Health to the forefront. Leeann Costa, Public Health Nurse at Community Nurse Home Care, shares more:

What types of activities do you do as a Public Health Nurse?

At Community Nurse Home Care, my role is to support local Boards of Health, specifically Fairhaven and Acushnet, with infectious disease in our community. For Covid-19, I contact individuals to answer and ask questions, offer guidance and support. If they have the illness, I start a process known as “contact tracing” where we determine who they may have been in contact with for a specific timeframe.

I also provide other “case” or illness investigation, offering guidance, support, for other infectious diseases. I support and advise local municipalities with how to adhere to guidance and infection control measures for all infectious diseases. Collecting this information is vital in preventing and managing spread of illness.

This has been a difficult year all around. What has been the most challenging or rewarding moment for you as the Public Health Nurse during this past year?

Most challenging has been trying to keep the community up to date with the ever-changing COVID guidelines and how these work in “real life” scenarios. Most rewarding was seeing the community pulling together and sharing resources to help those in need during these difficult times.

What has been the best thing about your job?

Getting to know my community on a much more personal level.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a public health nurse?

Be prepared to be flexible and an educational resource to the communities you serve. What is the best thing about working for Community Nurse? A supportive team that all work towards the common goal of providing our community and patients with the utmost level of care. Leeann Costa, LPN CNHC Public Health Nurse Spotlight ON PUBLIC HEALTH