Community health nursing clinicals: an examination of the present and ideas for the future.

As part of a curriculum revision for a baccalaureate school of nursing, a nationwide survey examined how schools of nursing structure community health nursing (CHN) clinical experiences. Results indicate that a wide variety of settings and agencies (public health departments, schools, clinics, home health, and many more) are being used. Use of preceptors, use of multiple and single agencies, observational visits, time scheduled, projects, and faculty philosophy of CHN were examined. Although many settings, courses, and projects are traditional, this study reveals that some nursing schools are responding to changes in health care and population needs and are structuring CHN clinicals accordingly. Ideas for clinical courses for the future are offered.