Community Health Nursing Career Overview

A community health nursing is a specialty of nursing generally focused on providing care to the general public, often in venues that cater to low-income people who have minimal or no health insurance.

If you become a community health nurse, you will mostly work in medical clinics or for neighborhood health care providers who provide free care to those in need.

In addition, you will refer them to other facilities that can better handle specific issues. These referrals may be to clinics that specialize in areas such as podiatry or pediatrics or to counseling or mental health care organizations. If a patient cannot physically make it to a clinic, you may visit the patient’s home to provide care.

You will also play the role of an educator talking to individuals and groups on the benefits of healthy living and how to best address common problems, such as substance abuse, obesity and diseases caused by improper food handling or lack of sanitary conditions. You will instruct communities on home nursing and childcare and, whenever needed, you will refer patients to sources that are known to provide free or reduced cost medications.

A community health care nurse also commonly provides prenatal care to pregnant women. He is often the main medical advisor for expectant mothers with no medical insurance who have no regular medical doctor to guide them through their pregnancies.

In order to become a community health nurse, it is important to get a college degree in nursing so you can become a registered nurse (R.N.). Keep in mind that nursing degree programs can be competitive. Getting good grades is essential because a high grade point average (GPA) is something that prospective nursing programs and eventually employers will want to see.

Once you are admitted to a nursing program, a nursing practicum will typically be required. Doing well in the practicum can be important because it will provide you with valuable supervised experience which will help supplement your college learning. Typically, nursing students do their practicum activities in a hospital setting, but getting experience in other health settings is possible if the nursing program allows that.

After graduation, you will have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is the nursing licensure exam. After passing this exam, you are then eligible to work as a registered nurse in a variety of settings. The career services department at your college can usually provide job-search assistance. Conducting online job searches may also be helpful in your job search.

To learn about nursing related topics such as: CNA training and CNA certification, please visit Emily’s website.

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