A framework for community health nursing education

Overview

Revitalization of primary health care requires a transformation in the education and training of the health workforce to enable them to respond effectively to evolving health-care demands. Nurses working in the community—whether as community health nurses or public health nurses—need to reorient their thinking and practices by placing greater emphasis on the prevention and promotion of health within the community.

The Framework for Community Nursing Education provides guidance for nurse educators on the essential content to be included in the community health nursing course within pre-service nursing programmes. It also outlines the institutional capacities required to support effective community nursing education.

The framework defines the core functions, roles, and areas of work for community health nurses within the health-care system, classifies population targets, outlines the competencies needed by community-based nurses, and promotes a participatory approach to teaching and learning.