[Work in community health is about to change]

Changes in Ontario's political, social and economic environments have necessitated an unprecedented transformation in the health care system. The change in focus from the individual to the community now includes core units such as families, groups and communities. Visiting nurses, public health nurses and community health nurses have worked in Community Health Centres (CHCs) since 1970. However, the role of nurses working in these centres has not been clearly defined in the literature. Nor is there is a general consensus on their title. Nurse practitioners, primary care nurses or community health nurses are all used. As well, there is no existing educational program in Ontario that trains this type of nurse. This article discusses and gives examples of nurses working in community health, whose primary clinical expertise is in using community based and community development program strategies to plan health programs. These programs are specifically developed to address the health needs of the communities they serve--in this case, Toronto's francophone community. Also demonstrated are new approaches to nursing care within a community setting. From health promotion to disease prevention, from community development to research, the practice of community health nursing is complex and exciting.