Community health nursing education: where we are going and how to get there.

Abstract

This article discusses practical aspects of providing community health nursing (CHN) education in community-based care in partnership with a community. Changing from traditional CHN clinicals to more current models involves a shift in values and implementation of principles leading to the change. These values are: refocusing the purpose of CHN education; broad (generalist) scope of practice; problem-solving as a means of discovery; collaboration with peers, faculty, community, and service providers; and working to empower individuals, families, and the community, as well as the students themselves. Principles for developing community-based educational programs in partnership with a community are: examining and incorporating critical concepts; identifying community needs and basing activities on these needs; providing services as a means of studying the community and its problems/needs; expanding and refining services based on problems/needs and assets of the community; and maintaining services based on problems/needs and assets of the community. Each principle is discussed in a process and application format.