Study in community health practice is offered in a specific advanced practice nursing role called the clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Because the terms community health, public health, and home care are often used interchangeably, the focus of study in the community health CNS track is identified as community-oriented care (health prevention and promotion in population and communities) with the option of integrating study in community-based care or home care (provision and assurance of personal illness care to individuals and families in communities).

The role of the advanced practice community health CNS emphasizes the analysis and application of healthcare frameworks as they related to clinical experience in the 1) assessment of the health of the community and 2) the proficiency of planning, implementing, and evaluating population-focused programs. Emphasis is put on the role of the CNS in integrating knowledge of epidemiology, demographics, environmental health, community structure and organization, community development, management, program evaluation, policy development, and case management to promote health in the entire community. Certification by American Nurses Center of Credentialing (ANCC) after completing 500 clinical hours of experience can be obtained with this course of study.

Students interested in home care experiences can study the practice of nursing applied to the client with a health deficit in the client’s place of residence or appropriate community site. Study opportunities include application of healthcare frameworks with clients and families. The processes of case management, consultation, collaboration, and education of clients, staff, and other health professionals can also be addressed. In addition, planning, implementing, and evaluating programs, resources, services, and research for health care delivery to complex clients are available.

WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO

Community health clinical nurse specialists hold positions as nurse experts at:

• Local and state health departments
• Boards of Health
• State Laboratories
• Bureaus of Communicable Diseases
• Divisions of Food and Drug Services
• Public Health Hospitals
• Departments of Environmental Protection
• Divisions of Occupational Safety
• Offices of Health and Human Services
• Visiting Nurse Associations & Home Care Agencies
  
  

CURRENT TEACHING SITES

• Visiting Nurse Association of Boston (VNAB)
• Boston Public Schools
• Massachusetts Department of Health
• Dana Farber Cancer Institute
• Boston Medical Center, Center for HIV Care and Research
• Women of Color AIDS Council
• Local town and city health departments
  

The community health specialty is offered to students from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds through a number of routes to entry and program options. Find your pathway to entry.

MS Plan of Study

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