Professional issues in community practice

Overview Community nursing is constantly evolving. 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. Political, professional, and intra- and interdisciplinary developments provide a contextual backdrop to this chapter's discussion of professional issues affecting community nurses. Recent issues in community nursing practice are highlighted, including the scope of nursing practice, specialisation, competencies, advanced practice, emerging roles such as the general practice nurse and the nurse practitioner, and credentialling. Objectives When you have read this chapter, you should be able to: understand contextual and professional factors that influence community nursing; discuss emerging roles in community nursing; identify professional frameworks that govern and guide community nursing practice; discuss intra- and interdisciplinary issues related to community practice; consider trends likely to affect future developments in community nursing.