Community health nurse practice is both challenging and diverse with community health nurses fulfilling a public health role in Victoria by promoting the health and well being of children, families and individuals from birth to across the lifespan. A large component of their role is health promotion and health education to ensure that people attain and maintain their optimum lifestyles. This process involves assessing and advising communities on their readiness to become involved in community health programs, discussing the personal and professional value of such programs, and the provision of appropriate literature for the community to utilise as a resource and for further reference.

The Hesse Community Health Nurses are providing community programs that reflect this new and creative approach to community health. They work with their communities to provide community health programs that compliment the communities' lifestyle and more importantly encourage the sustainability of the community. The programs are developed in consultation with key community leaders; community surveys are conducted to ensure community members are given the opportunity for input into the design and development of the programs. Once the programs are developed and implemented, extensive evaluation is undertaken to ensure the programs have achieved their desired outcome.

The Hesse Community Health Nurses during 2001-2002 offered an extensive portfolio of community programs; these include

- farm safety for children and adults
- kindergarten health awareness, playgroup health awareness,
- first aid for primary schools,
- health awareness for senior citizens,
- personal development for primary school children,
- well women's clinic, breast screen,
- walk and talk groups
- skin check clinics, school holiday programs,
- exercise classes for the elderly, swimming for the elderly,
- level 2 first aid updates