MOUNT VERNON — Today is Florence Nightingale’s birthday and the nation has been observing National Nurses Week in her honor. Nurses undisputedly make a difference in people’s lives in hospitals, doctors’ offices, schools and clinics. Nurses are also vitally important to public health systems.
Julie Miller, Knox County Health Commissioner, said the public health nursing work force is dedicated to providing care to all individuals of a community, and often take the primary responsibility for those who are uninsured or with lower incomes.
Part of the public health nursing function is provided by home health care nurses. The home health program offers an alternative to extended hospital stays and nursing homes. The nurses give skilled nursing care to patients who are homebound, provide support to their caregivers and assist with disease management.


