What is the Role of Community Health Nurse - Submission
                     What is the Role of Community Health Nurse
Nurses are boon to patients because of their helping and empathetic nature. Their 
dedication towards healthcare and sense of whole-heartedness sets them apart. 
They work in a variety of settings: hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and 
communities. Community health nursing is one of the many nursing specializations 
you can find. The role of community health nurse involved in overseeing the health and 
well-being of the individuals and groups within communities. It includes both clinical 
and non-clinical duties, like treating injuries and conducting research. They can 
wear multiple identities, including caregiver, collaborator, manager, leader and 
researcher and serve the people.
To become a community health nurse, one must complete high-school, get a B.Sc 
Nursing
degree from a recognized institution, register with the official boards, and pursue 
specialized
training. In this article, you can find complete information about the role of 
community health nurse and related details.
What is Community Health Nursing?
Community health nursing is one of the nursing specializations involved in 
promoting and preserving the health of individuals, families, and groups within a 
community. Instead of working in a clinical setting, they directly interact with the 
communities to prevent disease, educate about health practices, and improve 
overall well-being. The role of community health nurse spans from assessment of 
community needs, developing care plans to providing the services like health 
screenings and chronic disease management. They address the health issues in the 
society, reduce health disparities, and support underserved populations through 
outreach and  education.
Where Community Health Nurses Work?
Below, we have listed the different settings, where community health nurses work:
● State and local health departments
● Educational settings like schools, colleges, and universities
● Community groups
● Advocacy groups
● Religious organizations
● Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
● Occupational health settings
● Shelters and transitional housing facilities
Also read: The Ethical Challenges Faced by Nurses and How to Overcome Them
7 Prominent Roles of Community Health Nurses
Community health nurses perform various roles like clinician, educator, manager, 
advocate, researcher, etc. Below, we have explained each role of community 
health nurse in the clearest manner, which helps you to choose the suitable path 
for you.
1. Clinician
As a clinician, community health nurses not only focused on the individuals and 
families, but groups and communities as well. They emphasised on holism, health 
promotion and protection, and skill development. Largely, they are focused on 
promoting well-being and seeking out clients to resolve the problem rather than 
waiting for them to arrive and tell. In a nutshell, they are providing clinical services 
to the communities, instead of performing it in hospitals or other clinical settings.
2.Educator
This role of a community health nurse focused on being a health teacher. It is 
significant since it can improve the public’s health consciousness, community-wider 
impact and inculcate the client’s self-education leading to the proper usage of 
health resources. This form of education within the community helps them to lead a 
healthy lifestyle and make informed choices. Thus, this teaching aspect of CHN 
must be illuminated in order to create a healthier community.
3.Manager
Manager, a role of community health nurse, directs and administers care by 
performing the set of activities. It involves assessment of the client needs, plan, 
organize and achieve the intended results. Also, progress needs to be tracked and 
monitored to find whether the results are achieved or not. From setting the goals 
and direction for the clients to organizing the relevant people to reach the desired 
objectives, they take care of all the managerial activities.
4. Advocate
Every patient has the right to get a just, equal and humane treatment. However, 
current healthcare systems are not providing personalized and holistic services. In 
this situation, nurses act as an advocate for those clients who are poor and 
disadvantaged. They bring forth the causes to light and stand for them. It helps 
clients by making them independent and
self-determined and regularizes the system to listen to the needs of clients. It is 
important for a CHN, playing an advocacy role to be assertive, taking risks, 
negotiating well and identifying resources and obtaining the results.
5.Collaborator
Collaborator, a role of community health nurse, involved in joining with others to 
cooperate and contribute as a partner. This leads to working in a common project, 
where others are involved, such as clients, teachers, social workers, physical 
therapists, nutritionists, psychologists, attorneys, and secretaries.
6.Leader
Community health nurses as a leader influence, direct and persuade others to 
positively influence the public’s health. It involves persuading and motivating 
people to make healthier choices, conducting effective two-way communication and 
resolving emerging conflicts. As a leader, CHN must focus on bringing all the people 
in harmony to achieve the desired objectives. Persuasion and coordination are the 
two-most important skills to effectively create the results one wants.
7.Researcher
As a researcher, a role of community health nurse systematically investigates and 
analyses the data to solve problems and improve the community’s health. Some 
CHN participates in collaborative research with other health professionals to 
achieve the intended research objectives. Essentially, CHN Researcher focused on 
collecting the data, analyzing it to find the solutions to the problem and make 
informed decisions.
How to Become a Community Health Nurse in India?
Find the brief steps to become a community health nurse in India, below:
● Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Criteria: Ensure to complete a 10 and +2 
classes with Biology group.
● Step 2: Complete a Nursing program: Take a B.Sc Nursing degree or 
relevant program at a recognized institution and complete it.
● Step 3: Register with Nursing Council: After completing the course, you must 
register with the state nursing council as a registered nurse (RN).
● Step 4: Continue with specialized training:If you want, you can do a post-
diploma degree, certification course in community health or Msc in 
community health nursing.
● Step 5: Apply for CHN Jobs: After attaining a solid knowledge and skills, you 
can apply for CHN jobs, through which you can be placed in community 
health care centres,  NGOs, and school health programs.
Learn more
Conclusion
The role of Community health nurse comprises different hats but has only one 
focus - to improve the community’s health. It can either by advocating for the 
clients to receive their basic rights or educating them about healthier choices. It is 
important to undergo an education and specialized training to become a 
community health nurse. If you’re decided to become one of them, congratulations 
for you for making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
Reference
For Further information or if you need to know more, Just click the link 
Mahalakshmi College of
Nursing for expert support.
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