What is a Public Health Nurse?

A Public Health Nurse (PHN) is a Registered Nurse (RN) with special training in community health. She or he can help you or your family with health concerns, and parenting and lifestyle issues. PHNs are knowledgeable about the resources in your community.

Public Health services are provided at Health Centers located in Seattle and King County. Contact the Center nearest you to talk with a Public Health Nurse or for information about other services. Interpreter services are available. PHNs also perform the following services:

Pregnancy and birth

• Assistance and support to help you have the healthiest pregnancy possible (nutrition, self-care, healthy habits)
• Education about body changes, labor and birth, sex during pregnancy, breastfeeding, your child's earliest brain development and more
• Referral for pregnancy care
• Referral to childbirth classes
• Provide early post-birth discharge visits

After the birth of your child

• Check the health of mother and newborn
• Assist with new parent concerns and questions, including feeding, bathing, taking a temperature, premature babies and infant behavior and health

Child's growth and development

Provide education and information about:

• Exciting information about early brain development
• Normal growth and behavior for babies, children, and teens
• Ways to play with and teach your baby or child
• Discipline/behavior management - what it is and how to use it
• Referral to classes to help you learn about parenting and meet other new parents

Health and wellness

• Finding health care you can afford
• Deciding when to go to a doctor and making medical appointments
• Choosing healthful and low cost foods
• Exercise and fitness
• Coping with stress
• Safety and accident prevention and how to make your home safe for children

Special health care needs

• Identify special needs for a child with disabilities or special health concerns, and provide information, support and referrals
• Provide information, education and referral for the child with asthma
• Provide information about common diseases such as colds, fevers, measles, chickenpox, lice, etc.
• Provide information and follow up for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis
• Provide comprehensive services for families affected by HIV/AIDS

Emotional, sexual and reproductive health

Provide information, support and referral about:

• Emotional health, stress and substance abuse
• Ways to prevent child abuse
• Sexual or physical abuse and domestic violence
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or other causes of infant death
• Family planning and sexuality, and birth control supplies
• HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease (STD)