Family and community nursing, chronology of a specialty. / Enfermería familiar y comunitaria, cronología de una especialidad.

More the 30 years have passed since the first Royal Decree that regulated nursing specialties was published in 1987. It is the Royal Decree published in 2005 that really allowed the training development of part of the specialties recognized in it (family and community nursing, paediatric nursing, geriatric nursing and occupational health nursing) since the obstetric-gynaecological specialist nurses (midwives) and mental health specialists had long since already started their training processes through the resident internal nurse model, today, training in the specialty of family and community nursing has been implemented in all the autonomous communities, but has not had the same development in terms of the incorporation of specialists in the health institutions of the respective health services of the autonomous communities This circumstance is generating a great lack of motivation among community nurses, both specialists and those who hope to obtain the qualification through a specialty exam. Many of the objectives achieved to date have been made possible thanks to the work of the scientific societies of community nursing (Association of Community Nursing [AEC] and Federation of Associations of Community Nursing and Primary Care [FAECAP]), which have allowed progress to be made and the process not to be halted, although there are still many achievements to be made on which the aforementioned scientific societies continue to work. In a society in which nursing care is increasingly necessary and demanded, it must have greater consideration and position in health policies, since it has demonstrated its effectiveness and can be the model that allows the health system to be sustainable. Therefore, nurses who specialize in family and community nursing must cease constituting an opportunity and become a reality.

Community and family nurse: Present keys, future challenges. / Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria: claves de presente, retos de futuro.

It is the mission of the Community and Family Nurse through an integral and holistic approach to accompany people from cradle to death in developing their health potential, and promote different family, work and social environments to facilitate this development. Throughout history, various international, European and national organizations have regulated the figure of the Community and Family Nurse, and now their functions, powers and professional performance are fully regulated. The Community and Family Nurse can respond to the needs of a changing population and take on new responsibilities in management and research. Their extensive basic and advanced skills gathered under a rigorous training programme, benefit the health system, the nursing profession, citizenry and its communities. Many challenges remain for the Health Departments of each Autonomous Region to make it possible for this specialty to develop its full potential for improving care.