High School

To prepare for a career in nursing, take as many classes in science (especially biology and human anatomy), mathematics, computer science, psychology, and health as possible. English and speech classes will help you develop your communication skills. Taking a foreign language will help you to more effectively provide nursing care to patients who are not fluent in English. 

Postsecondary Training

Nurses who specialize in a specific nursing field such as a community health nurse must first become registered nurses. There are three ways to become an RN: a two-year associate's degree program at a junior or community college, a two- or three-year diploma program at a hospital, or a bachelor's degree program at a college or university. All the programs include supervised hands-on training in a hospital setting. Many community health nurses are required to have some general nursing experience, since they may be required to work with patients with a wide range of health problems. Entry-level requirements depend on the employing agency and the availability of nurses in that specialty and geographical region. Nurses who wish to specialize in community health care may choose to attend graduate school.

Other Education or Training

The Association of Public Health Nurses and other nursing associations provide continuing education opportunities at their annual conferences, via workshops and seminars, and online via webinars and web-based classes. The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments provides webinars on environmental issues that can affect the health of patients. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

Certification is a voluntary process. However, having credentials is a sign of competency and experience in nursing and may make the difference when applying for a job. Certification for community health nurses is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Requirements for certification include holding a current nursing license, having a certain amount of professional experience, and passing the certification exam.

To practice in any of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, nurses must have graduated from an accredited program and pass one of the following national licensing exams: the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)—both of which are offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Nursing students should gain experience by completing several nursing internships or clinical rotations as part of their postsecondary training.

Community health nurses should feel comfortable working with all ages and people from all cultural backgrounds. Good communication skills are essential, including the ability to listen and respond to the patient's needs. Flexibility is also a requirement, since duties vary greatly from hour to hour and day to day. Community health nurses must be able to work independently, have good organizational skills, and also have the ability to supervise aides and other support people.