Abstract
Although approximately 6,500 nurses graduate from over 80 nursing institutions each year, there
seems to be no end in sight to nursing staff shortage. This shortage is both in numbers and in terms of
essential skills to meet the complex needs of the community. In Khon Kaen province, public health care settings have also faced the nursing staff shortage problem, especially at health centers in the rural areas.
The health personnel data of Khon Kaen Provincial Office show that novice nurses prefer to work at the
hospitals more than at the health centers and the attrition rate of the nurses in all levels of health care
settings is high. To overcome the problem, the Community Nurse Production for Community and by
Community Project was launched in Nam Phong District in 2002. It was effectively run and sustained by
the collaboration of several organizations in the community. An evaluation revealed that the shortage was
decreasing while the retention rate was increasing. Thus, Khon Kaen Provincial Office, Khon Kaen Hospital,
readiness community hospitals and Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Khon Kaen agreed to expand
the project to produce 200 community nurses within seven years, from 2009-2015, to cover most areas of
Khon Kaen. After participating in the project, the college has adjusted teaching and learning activities of
both curricular and co-curricular activities by using integrated education approach to develop essential
knowledge and skills for community nursing students. Hence, it can be concluded that the Community
Nurse Production for Community and by Community Project has significantly transformed nursing education
and nursing workforce in Khon Kaen province.
