Community Health Nurses

High School

To prepare for a career in nursing, take as many classes as possible in science (especially biology and human anatomy), mathematics, computer science, psychology, and health. English and speech classes will help you develop your communication skills. Taking a foreign language will help you to more effectively provide nursing care to patients who are not fluent in English.

Postsecondary Training

Nurses who specialize in a specific nursing field such as a community health nurse must first become registered nurses. There are three ways to become an RN: a two-year associate's degree program at a junior or community college, a two- or three-year diploma program at a hospital, or a bachelor's degree program at a college or university. All the programs include supervised hands-on training in a hospital setting. Many community health nurses are required to have some general nursing experience, since they may be required to work with patients with a wide range of health problems. Entry-level requirements depend on the employing agency and the availability of nurses in that specialty and geographical region. Nurses who wish to specialize in community health care may choose to attend graduate school.

Some community health nurses earn degrees in public health nursing. The Association of Community Health Nursing Educators offers a list of colleges and universities that offer degrees in the field on its Web site, https://www.achne.org/aws/ACHNE/pt/sp/phn-educational-programs.

Colleges and universities also offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in community health, which can be earned by nurses, social workers, and others who are employed in community health settings.

Certification

Many colleges and universities offer certificate programs in nursing, nursing specialties (such as public health nursing), health education, community health, nursing leadership/management, and related fields. Programs are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats, and they typically last six months to a year.

Other Education or Training

The Association of Public Health Nurses and other nursing associations provide continuing education opportunities at their annual conferences, via workshops and seminars, and online via webinars and web-based classes. The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments provides webinars on environmental issues that can affect the health of patients. Contact these organizations for more information.