Community violence, children and youth: considerations for programs, policy, and nursing roles

Nurses working with children and adolescents who witness or directly experience violence in the communities in which they live need to understand and recognize symptoms of mental-emotional distress that can result from these experiences. The nature of community violence is multifaceted. Therefore, sharing of knowledge and skills and collaboration between health care professionals from different disciplines can further theoretical understandings, enhance the effectiveness of prevention and intervention strategies, and inform development of, and advocacy for policies at local, state, and national levels to prevent, reduce, and intervene in community violence. These activities will offer challenges and opportunities to shape nurses' roles and nursing practice in future health care environments.