Professional issues in community practice

Abstract

This chapter discusses emerging roles in community nursing, identifies professional frameworks that govern and guide community nursing practice and also discusses intra- and interdisciplinary issues related to community practice. The context that enables or impedes community nurses’ work, the partnerships they are able to establish, the scope of practice and expectations of community nurses are outcomes of a range of influences and issues. While community nurses often work alone, they usually work for an agency, and function in collaboration with many other health professionals, agencies and community organisations who are all working to meet the health and social care needs of their communities and clients. Health care costs are constantly under pressure. The increasing emphasis on community care and its complexities has contributed to the emergence of public health and community nursing as nursing specialisations, with many nurses seeking a deliberate path to that specialisation.