Community health nursing provides an opportunity to give back to society through responsibilities varying from educating the masses to conducting health screenings. If you want to become a community health nurse, all you must do is earn your nursing degree and attain licensure.
While all healthcare professionals give back to the community, community health nurses play a crucial role in addressing the needs of local residents. In a healthcare system where access to quality care is not always equal, community health nurses work to bridge this gap and ensure that everyone can receive the care they deserve.
Making a difference in the world and aiding those in need begins with the right education. Marian University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program provides the opportunity to learn the essential skills and tools to provide care to underserved populations. In as few as 16 months, graduates will be ready to make a real impact and be part of something bigger than themselves.
What Is Community Health Nursing?
Community health nursing focuses on serving the community by providing better access to healthcare. While nursing generally provides care on the individual level, community health nursing works to ensure that entire populations have access to the care and resources they need to thrive. This can mean working with local organizations or traveling to remote areas to deliver in-person care.
This field is dedicated to promoting social justice and equity, aiming to eliminate disparities in healthcare so that everyone, regardless of background or geographic area, can receive quality care. The focus is on improving overall population health, preventing illness, injury, and disability, and advocating for healthier communities.
What Does a Community Health Nurse Do?
A community health nurse’s work can look different every day as they provide a wide range of services. One day, you might be screening and assessing families or homeless individuals. The next, you could be working at a health clinic, providing immunizations, offering family planning counseling, or leading health promotion campaigns. The core focus of community health nurses is to help individuals, families, and communities improve their overall health and well-being.
Community health nursing responsibilities include promoting health education, preventing disease, conducting research, and providing medical care to vulnerable groups such as:
- Homeless individuals
- Immigrants
- Low-income families
- People with disabilities
Community health nurses tackle healthcare disparities head-on, working in underserved areas to make a meaningful impact on community health.
The Role of Community Health Nurses in Public Health
Community health nursing is crucial to public health, especially in regions where physician shortages can leave populations underserved. They help bridge the gap between healthcare needs and access to care. For example, a homeless person may face significant barriers, such as lack of transportation or limited access to medical facilities. Community health nurses meet individuals where they are, ensuring they receive the care they need.
Another key aspect of the role of community health nurses is preventive care. In the U.S. health system, lacking insurance can have serious consequences, as it often means people miss out on preventive services like screenings for cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. Community health nurses step in by providing health screenings, wellness exams, psychological assessments, and immunizations.
Improving population health starts with health education, but many people don’t have access to this essential resource. Examples of community health nursing include counselors who help patients understand their health status, treatment options, and how simple lifestyle choices can impact their daily lives. They also advocate for their patients, speaking up on their behalf within the government and healthcare system to ensure their needs are met.
Community Health Nurse Career Overview
For those interested in what it takes to step in and start impacting their community, let’s explore the pathway into this field.
Duties and Responsibilities
Community health nurses take on a variety of duties to support public health in their communities. Their daily responsibilities include advocating for individuals and families, conducting health assessments, providing interventions, and evaluating outcomes. They also make referrals to agencies, promote health initiatives, offer health screenings, and provide education on topics such as family planning and wellness. Through these diverse tasks, community health nurses work to improve health outcomes and address the needs of vulnerable populations.
Education & Certifications
To be fully equipped with the knowledge to help those in need, a nursing degree is essential, with a bachelor’s degree being the preferred path. However, even if you have a non-nursing degree, it’s still possible to pursue a career in nursing.
Marian University’s ABSN program allows qualified individuals to complete their nursing education in as little as 16 months, giving them the tools to begin their nursing degree. Aspiring nurses must pass the NCLEX to become licensed RNs.
See NCLEX Practice Exams to start your studying.
Once licensed, you can apply for positions in community health nursing. While not required, community health nurses can pursue an optional certification called the Certified in Public Health credential. By completing these steps, aspiring community health nurses can transition from hopefuls to professionals.
Salary and Career Outlook
While the work of a community health nurse is deeply rewarding, the compensation is also not too shabby. Compensation can vary based on factors such as the organization you work for and the state you’re in.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for all registered nurses is $86,070, with community health nursing salaries depending on the employer and geographic location. Job security is strong in this field, as technology is unlikely to ever replace the role of community health nurses. In fact, the BLS projects around 194,500 job openings for registered nurses each year on average over the next decade. Nursing is a field with ongoing demand, making the job outlook strong.
The Importance of Community Health Nurses
Community health nurses provide essential care to those without access to quality healthcare. Their work benefits society by promoting health, preventing disease, and improving overall community well-being.
Individualized Care
Community health nurses help address health disparities by providing personalized care to those who need it most. They work directly with underserved communities where access to healthcare is often limited. Their role is hands-on and personal, involving everything from conducting medical assessments and offering treatments to educating individuals on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent illness.
Advocacy
Along with the typical responsibilities of a nurse, advocacy is a key aspect of community health nursing and, in many ways, the most impactful. Nurses in this field serve as the voice for those who may not know what they need, advocating for policies that promote health equity, such as increasing access to affordable healthcare and addressing the root causes of health disparities. They also work to break down language and cultural barriers to ensure all individuals can access the care they deserve. Community health nursing helps drive systemic change, contributing to efforts aimed at creating a more inclusive society where everyone’s health needs are valued.
Why Become a Community Health Nurse
There are many reasons to pursue the fulfilling career of a community health nurse, from making a direct impact on underserved populations to advocating for health equity. These values are reflected in the education offered through Marian University’s mission, vision and core values.
See what it really means to be a nurse.
Follow the Path to Building Communities with Marian University
Becoming a community health nurse means being part of the change that drives progress toward better healthcare for all. You’ll have the opportunity to directly impact those who lack proper care due to their socioeconomic status.
If community health sounds right for you, don’t hesitate. Take the leap of faith that will be well worth it and lead you to something bigger than yourself. With three annual start dates in January, May, and August and a 16-month curriculum between you and a nursing degree, Marian ABSN could be the best route to your goals.
Contact us today to take the first step! An admissions advisor will contact you to continue the conversation.