Nursing outside hospitals: the working experience of community nurses: job characteristics

The Community Nursing Project reports the results of a mailed questionnaire survey of the working and educational experience of 689 nurses employed outside hospitals and nursing homes in Victoria in 1985. This paper reports that part of the study relevant to their practice settings, job titles, job content and working conditions. Confusion about titles for community nurses was evident given that subjects offered 281 separate job titles. A title with the general form 'Community Nurse--specialist designation' was acceptable to 88% of nurses. Eighteen (of 57) job activities were identified that were performed at least weekly by four of the six principal practice areas. Therefore while the concept of the generic community nurse is a meaningful one, it is only so when the differences in job content across practice areas are acknowledged. Medical clinic nurses however do not conform to this general pattern. Seventy-nine per cent of the nurses currently had a job description. However, only 45% had a statement of job conditions, 26% had a formal job orientation, 24% worked overtime unrewarded by payment or time in lieu and only 59% could reschedule their work times. These figures varied greatly between practice areas. It is suggested that the concept of the community nurse--specialist designation be promoted. Specifically this could be done by the adoption of this title and the development of appropriate post-basic educational courses. While these conclusions have most relevance for Australia, they will also be of interest to nurses of other countries where an increasing emphasis on primary health care has resulted in an expansion of community nursing practice.