One element of this will be on personal hygiene, but will also delve on sexual health, among others. Their tasks include such things as putting programs in place for STDs, obesity and immunizations. She loved working with children in such a picturesque environment. They will be assigned a case load of individuals to work with and provide either long-term or short-term work. Working as a community health nurse is an excellent way to combine a love of nursing and a love of your community. Our rankings highlight the top programs. Public health nurses are often the most visible group in a community health improvement setting. Resources and articles written by professionals and other Nurses like you. NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Learn about the huge range of work nurses carry out with patients in the community every day. Their role is to improve the overall health and safety of communities by eliminating or at least alleviating the risks. In my current community, the nurses hold well baby clinics, give immunizations (including adults/ travel requirements), work with TB patient compliance, hold asthma clinics/ home visits for teaching and assessment, work with "outbreaks" of various kinds, including summer West Nile Virus. You should also have several years of nursing experience under your belt as well. They will also try to educate the community on and work toward preventing common health problems. Nurses in community health work with people from many different cultural backgrounds, often with disadvantaged and marginalised people. As a community health nurse, you may work in a hospital or large medical facility where you perform traditional nursing functions in addition to doing community outreach. You will promote health and education programs such as tobacco, sexual health, physical activity and healthful eating to the student population. More often than not, they work in underserved communities and rural locations. As a camp nurse you will perform a variety of duties, all while enjoying the very unique and serene camp setting. Nurses must have exceptional assessment skills, be able to work independently, have a desire to lead and act as a role model, and have a lot of patience. Generally speaking, they will develop educational programs to teach the community about how to improve their overall health. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. Want to become a nurse practitioner but don't have a bachelor's degree? Do you have a point of view to share? PHNs will develop policies, but they will also help to implement them, to deliver them and to monitor them once implemented. Although the role of the PHN will be to address these concerns, send out for tests and perhaps even prescribe medication, they will also take on a leadership role in terms of health education. Amidst the cabins, canoes and canteens, there are medical professionals helping to make sure summer camps are a safe place for kids. Sometimes, this is specifically focused, such as obesity or family planning. They are employed by hospitals, clinics and nursing homes as well as the following: Businesses. The goal of a public health nursing career is to educate patients through community-based intervention programs, which identify and correct multiple health issues: Unlike traditional nurses, community health nurses don’t worry about the health of just one person at a time, but entire communities at a time. A voice in local community organizations. A public health nurse strives to promote prevention over treatment. Nowhere is this more evident than in current efforts to identify, reach, and treat people living with HIV and AIDS and in efforts to help the elderly effectively manage their chronic health problems and remain at home. This usually involves earning a nursing degree and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). A large proportion of their time will be spent on educating both children and parents on how to maintain their overall health and how to prevent illnesses. Like other nurses, community health nurses can often find employment in healthcare facilities like local hospitals, trauma centers, and clinics. It is an independent job, and PHNs have a huge degree of autonomy. Community health nurses support the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, communities, populations and systems. A community health worker serves as a link between the community and the health care, government, and social service systems. Many schools offer immunization information an… This figure seems low, but that is also due to the fact that these nurses often work on a voluntary basis, believing that nursing is a calling and not a career choice. If they understand how to maintain their own health and prevent illnesses, it is likely that they will live longer and healthier lives.