Nurturing Communities: Skill Enhancement for Nursing Students Through Community-Driven Learning

Community Health Nursing stands at the heart of preventive, promotive, and holistic care. In today’s healthcare landscape, the role of nurses extends far beyond the walls of hospitals. Our students are trained to be the first line of contact in underserved communities—empowering individuals, families, and groups with the knowledge and resources needed to live healthier lives. Whether addressing maternal and child health, managing communicable and non-communicable diseases, or responding to local health emergencies, community health nurses are change agents at the grassroots level.

Every academic year brings both opportunities and challenges. The areas where students showed outstanding performance were especially in field projects, health education campaigns, and vaccination drives. However, also noted critical issues requiring attention: irregular attendance, varying levels of academic engagement, and disparities in clinical performance. As educators and mentors, it is our responsibility to address these gaps with empathy and actionable strategies.

In response, the department has initiated several measures:

• Skill-enhancement workshops
• Peer mentoring and academic counselling
• Community-based simulation sessions
• Stronger emphasis on punctuality, professionalism, and ethical conduct

Our mission is not just to create proficient nurses, but to shape public health leaders who can advocate for health equity, policy change, and sustainable development. Through collaborations with PHCS, NGOS, and national programs, we ensure our students experience real-world challenges and learn to implement evidence-based solutions.

I encourage all stakeholders—students, faculty, and community partners—to join us in reinforcing the values of compassion, competence, and community engagement. Together, we can uphold the spirit of community health nursing and contribute to building a healthier and more inclusive society.

Let us continue to learn, serve, and lead—one community at a time.

Written By:

Deepa Mukherjee

Professor and HOD

Community Health Nursing Department,

Faculty of Nursing, SGT University