Adding value to stretched communities through nursing actions: the Wellington South Nursing Initiative.

Nurses provide health services to many groups with unmet health needs. Communities with consistently unmet needs are generally 'stretched' as they are under pressure. For children and families this pressure impacts their ability to live healthy lifestyles. The Wellington South Nursing Initiative involves two nurses providing an innovative population-based nursing service to stretched urban communities, particularly children and families, predominantly through networking and project work. Projects are specifically focused activities developed and implemented to address areas of health need. The projects cluster around five overarching areas: enhancing individual and community potential, growing safer families and communities, minimising negative harmful or risky behaviour, maximising general health and wellbeing and addressing specific health needs. Critical elements of the nurses' practice are the use of public health principles combined with a community development approach, relational practice and working for sustainability. The initiative provides important insights into how nurses can enter and work with communities and enhance the potential of children, families and the wider community.