| Scope | Focuses on the health of populations and communities as a whole, addressing broad public health issues and policies. | Concentrates on the health of specific communities or groups within a defined geographic area, often in collaboration with community organizations. |
| Primary Concerns | Emphasizes prevention, health promotion, and addressing public health challenges, such as disease outbreaks and health disparities. | Focuses on providing direct healthcare services, education, and support to individuals and families within a community. |
| Setting | Often works in government health departments, non-profit organizations, or at the policy level, influencing public health strategies. | Works in various community-based settings, including schools, clinics, community centers, and home healthcare, to deliver healthcare services. |
| Target Population | Targets larger populations and communities, aiming to improve the overall health and well-being of entire populations. | Targets specific demographic groups or communities, tailoring healthcare interventions to meet their unique needs. |
| Prevention Approach | Focuses on primary and secondary prevention strategies, such as immunization campaigns, health education, and policy advocacy. | Emphasizes primary prevention through health education, screenings, and access to healthcare resources within the community. |
| Policy Advocacy | Advocates for policy changes and public health initiatives at the local, state, and national levels to improve population health. | Less focused on policy advocacy and more focused on delivering healthcare services and health education directly to the community. |
| Education and Training | Typically requires a strong foundation in public health, often with a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or related training. | Requires nursing education and licensure as a registered nurse (RN) with additional training in community health nursing. |
| Public Health Research | May be involved in public health research, data analysis, and epidemiology to inform public health strategies and policies. | Primarily focuses on community assessments, needs assessments, and program evaluations within specific communities. |
| Health Disparities | Addresses health disparities at a population level, aiming to reduce inequalities in health outcomes among different groups. | Works to identify and address health disparities within the community they serve, tailoring interventions to specific needs. |
| Population-Level Impact | Aims to impact the health of entire populations through policy changes, interventions, and public health campaigns. | Focuses on improving the health of the specific community or demographic group they serve, with a more localized impact |
