What is the primary focus of a community health nurse?

The primary focus of a community health nurse is population health and prevention. This role emphasizes the health of whole communities rather than just individual patients. Community health nurses work to identify health trends within populations, assess the needs of community members, and implement programs aimed at health promotion and disease prevention. This includes educating the community about healthy practices, advocating for access to healthcare resources, and collaborating with various organizations to improve health outcomes.

In contrast, the treatment of individual illnesses is a more traditional nursing focus and is not the primary concern of community health nursing, which aims to address broader health determinants and promote the health of entire populations. Hospital management typically relates to the operational aspects of healthcare facilities, which is outside the typical scope of community health nursing, while research and development, though crucial, is not the main focus of community health practice. The core mission of community health nursing is to enhance the health status of communities, making population health and prevention its central priority.