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A study examined the effectiveness of existing nursing education programs to prepare individuals in the United Kingdom for employment as community specialist practitioners in the context of public health. The study was designed in three strands as follows: (1) a questionnaire-based source of 52 directors and leaders from community specialist programs; (2) a survey of 109 senior nurses across England; and (3) focus groups, interviews of 76 individuals, and document analyses to determine the relationship between education and practice. Community specialist practitioners did not generally see public health work as "core" work. Community specialist roles were in transition. Prior experience in community settings was deemed important in further learning about public health work. It was suggested that interdisciplinary learning be incorporated into curricula to provide a strong base for collaborative working and that developments in practice-based learning and assessment be transferred from other settings to address issues raised in relation to community specialist courses. (Contains 11 tables/figures and 69 references. The following are among the items appended: information on those interviewed; examples of public health practice in health visiting, district nursing, and practice nursing; standards outlined in the feasibility study on national standards for specialist practice in public health; and the questionnaires.) (MN)