Introduction to Community Health Nursing Career

Author: sen | Posted: 19.02.2012

A Community Health Nurse is also referred to as Public Health Nurse. The position is very rewarding and impacts an entire community. CHN/PHNs usually work within a community, caring for low income families or people with inadequate health insurance coverage or none at all. CHNs care for and educate people at community level about staying healthy and help reform social and healthcare situations.

A Community Health Nurse performs many duties; however the primary focus is to offer medical assistance and educating the community about health and wellness. Community Health Nurses are an integral part of the community healthcare environment without whom, many communities would lack medical care or the education to understand risks of food borne and communicable diseases.

A Community Health Nurse must possess an Associate’s degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Although some nursing jobs accept a nursing diploma from an accredited school, most states now require an individual to have at least a BSN degree. Aspirant CHNs must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse. They should also inquire if additional certification is required in their particular state for a RN to practice CHN profession.

The average annual salary of a Community Health Nurse is about $51,000. But the actual earning may vary depending on a number of factors including actual degree, years of experience, geographic location, and even organization hiring.

While all nursing professionals have a bright outlook in their career, Community Health Nurses in particular are in high demand throughout the country. Even with the government’s effort to keep the healthcare issue in many communities under control, there will always be areas all over the country that needs additional healthcare assistance. Thus individuals with interest in nursing, compassion for humans and a desire to work in communities to bring about much needed changes to peoples’ lives will always have complete job security by working as a Community Health Nurse.



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