This text presents foundational concepts pivotal to delivering nursing care in the community setting, with specific attention to the NLN competencies for community-based nursing care. The author examines the variety of settings and situations in which the community-based nurse provides care, highlighting cultural diversities in the patient populations, and emphasizing interactions between the individual and the family. This edition includes more information on disaster management and communicable diseases and expanded, updated Medicare/Medicaid guidelines. A companion Website on thePoint will include student activities, assessment guidelines, and forms. Instructors will have access to an Instructor's Manual, PowerPoint slides, and an expanded testbank.