Community Health Nursing in Shomron (2002–2023)
Community Health Nursing in Shomron (2002–2023) Over two decades as a community and school nurse in Shomron, I witnessed both the power of trust-based care and the systematic erosion of Israel’s once-robust public health infrastructure. My experience underscores five major concerns: 1. Trust and Cultural Competence Drive Vaccine Compliance In Imanuel, a largely Haredi town, no outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses occurred. This was not due to blind compliance but the fruit of long-term trust-building, consistent presence, and culturally congruent care. Even vaccine-hesitant families opted for partial compliance when approached with understanding and respect. Literature supports this: community-based, culturally sensitive nursing improves outcomes (Schim et al., 2007). 2. Bureaucratic and Hierarchical Management Undermines Public Health From around 2005, school nursing shifted from weekly visits to rotating, task-oriented coverage across many schools. Nurses became itin...