Community health CNSs and health care in the year 2000

As our nation addresses health care reform and the need for programs at the community level that deal with preventable health problems, there is an increasing need for the community health clinical nurse specialist (CHCNS). In this article, the CHCNS's role, as defined by the profession, is discussed and ideas for implementing this role in the community, home health care and public health are proposed. Standards of Community Health Nursing Practice and Healthy People 2000 are resources the CHCNS can use to guide practice at the community level.