Master's degree-level community health nursing educational needs: a national survey of leaders in service and education.

ABSTRACT

This study identified the core components of the curriculum for master's degree-level community health nurses (CHNs) and assessed whether existing educational programs provide this knowledge base. According to 588 leaders in community health nursing (CHN) service and education, all master's degree-prepared CHNs require skills in the administrative role. Interdisciplinary core content areas needed to fulfill role responsibilities include a practicum experience; epidemiology; community health assessment and diagnosis; administration and management, including program planning and evaluation, financial management, budgeting, and quality assurance; research methods and biostatistics; health promotion and disease prevention; interventions at the aggregate level; and leadership theory. There were notable discrepancies between what was considered essential and what actually was included in CHN education. This article provides suggestions and possible alternatives for initiating change to ensure adequate educational preparation for graduate-level CHN practice.