Geopolitical: Nursing and Phenomenological Community

A geopolitical community is defined by Maurer & Smith (2013) as "a spatial designation--a geographical or geopolitical area or place. Geopolitical communities are formed by either natural or human-made boundaries." A river, mountain range, or a valley may create natural boundaries. An example of this is most of the villages in Nepal, the country where I was born. Nepal is full of mountains, rivers, lakes, valleys and plateau. Most of the villages are naturally divided by hills, mountains and rivers. Human-made boundaries can be structural, political or legal in nature.

Structural boundaries can be roads, canals, bridges or rail road tracks, while, legal boundaries can be comprised of city, county, state, provincial, territorial or country lines (Maurer & Smith, 2013).

The differences in the geopolitical boundaries can be observed between counties of New York City or any other in major cities of USA. Political boundaries could be exemplified by school districts or congressional districts (Maurer & Smith, 2013, p.396). A phenomenological community can be thought of as an assembly of individuals who share the same viewpoint, relationships, values, interests, beliefs and goals.

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A phenomenological community is looked at as a "relational rather than spatial designation" (Maurer & Smith, 2013). Geographical boundaries do not necessarily have to be shared in a phenomenological community.

Religious, cultural and social groups are prime examples of a phenomenological community because their values and beliefs set them apart from other groups (Maurer & Smith, 2013). All of us live in a geopolitical community and most of us are part of many phenomenological communities.

Public health nurses have to face certain challenges while working with different community group. First of all there will be language and cultural barrier. Public health nurse are large autonomous. They practice without professional supervision. They practice collaboratively with other public health disciplines that have different perspective. To overcome the challenges some of the best practices for ensuring on going competencies include peer review, reflective practice, goal settings, obtaining knowledge of different cultures/ practices and self-evaluation.

References:
Maurer,F.A. & Smith, C.M.(2013). Community/public health nursing practice. Fifth edition. Retrieved from http://evolve.elsevier.com Relevant challenges and considerations for public health nursing practice.(2011). Retrieved from www.health.state.mn.us/divs/cfh/ophp/consultation/phn/practicecouncil/docs/relevantchallanges