Community Health Nurses

Community health nurses may instruct a class for expectant mothers, visit new parents to help them learn how to care for their new baby, talk with senior citizens about exercise and nutrition, or give immunizations at a community center or other site. Other community health nurses travel to remote areas where health care is not readily available. Here they work with a medical doctor or nurse practitioner to provide medical care and health education. Community health nurses usually work with people of all ages. They also may work with different groups of people, including immigrants, residents of homeless shelters, and people who are developmentally or physically challenged.

Community health nurses also work as educators. They plan, promote, and administer community-wide wellness programs. They give presentations to area organizations, schools, and health care facilities regarding health, safety, exercise, and nutrition.

Some community health nurses may work with managed care providers and programs sponsored by health maintenance organizations.

As with almost all health care professions today, community health nurses spend a great deal of time keeping records and charts and documenting the services they provide to meet insurance, government, and Medicare requirements.