Combining the Clinical and Consultative Roles in a Community Day Care Center

Abstract

Consultation in the community setting offers considerable opportunity for the community health nurse. A currently popular community trend is the rapidly increasing day care industry. Promoting the health of young children and families has always been an integral concern of public health. As in many community sites where health is not an organizational objective, the clarification of the nurse's role poses a contemporary professional challenge. This article distinguishes the clinical and consultative roles developed in the author's practice. The clinical role focuses on direct client services. The consultative role involves interaction with organizational representatives for the benefit of the client. The distinction provides conceptual clarity for progression of both a theoretical and practice base. Aspects from both roles contribute to the health promotion of an important population.