Parish nursing. Opportunities in community health

Health care trends during the past decade, such as managed care and reduced hospital length of stay, have made home health a growing opportunity for professional nurses. The shift of persons with chronic illness from institutions to homes and communities has required community level approaches to support these clients and their caregivers. Health and social problems, such as teen pregnancy, HIV infection, and violence, have resulted in health education and health promotion efforts that target vulnerable populations. At the same time, limits on resources and reimbursement have restricted service delivery in many communities, both for long-term care of the chronically ill and to support health education and promotion programs.