Self-management and professional development in community practice

Abstract

This chapter discusses the strategies that may assist community nurses to manage the work, careers and personal lives more effectively, with the aim of contributing to more satisfying and productive community nursing roles. Although it is easy to think that the transition from an institutional setting will be relatively straightforward, the reality is that working in the community presents many personal and professional challenges. Negotiating a clear role within community practice requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills and flexibility, together with an ability to be assertive. However, there are many elements in community nursing roles that create personal difficulties. Community nurses need to think of themselves as a resource, and reflect on how this resource should be ‘spent’. Taking a flexible approach to identifying goals, identifying subgoals, developing personal markers of success, and celebrating small and incremental positive outcomes is crucial to maintaining energy and direction, and enabling community nurses to stay the distance with long-term projects.