A systematic procedure for reviewing a basic nursing curriculum, identifying needed changes, and developing and implementing a plan for change is described. Also examined are techniques used to evaluate the plan and to determine the relevance of the revised curriculum to community health needs. After presenting information on primary health care that relates to community nursing education, four phases of curriculum review and development are examined in detail. The first step in carrying out the review is to identify key attributes of community-oriented nursing. The school's curriculum and current program objectives should then be analyzed to determine needs for revision. While implementing changes in the teaching plan at the course level involves only a few teaching personnel, systematic curriculum revision involves policy changes, teacher preparation, and the development of new resources. Implementing the plan for changes requires the development of content, learning experiences, and course evaluation mechanisms. One aspect of evaluating the effectiveness of the changes is to monitor student competence, course content, and program effectiveness. Appendices include a report on how a nursing school adapted the guide, and protocols for applying health care processes to individuals, families, and community risk groups. (SW)