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Abstract #150951

Kathleen Gremel, RN, MS¹, Lynn Blanchette, RN, MS¹, Mary E. Byrd, APRN, BC, PhD², Joanne Costello, RN, CS, MPH, MSN², Jeanne Schwager, RN, PhD², Carol R. Shelton, PhD³, and Patricia Thomas, RN, PhD². (1) School of Nursing, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, 401-456-8013, gremel1@cox.net, (2) Department of Nursing, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, (3) Nursing, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI 02907

Nurses have the potential to promote the public's health by advocating for changes in public policy. Learning experiences in the baccalaureate Public/Community Health Nursing curriculum have been implemented to develop the perspectives, knowledge and skills needed to influence public health policy. The learning outcomes for these experiences include an increased awareness, understanding, and ability to participate in the political process. A survey of program graduates was conducted to evaluate achievement of expected outcomes that indicate an ongoing involvement in the political process. These include registering to vote, voting, running for or supporting a candidate for political office, communicating with legislators to voice opinions about issues, and working with community groups and professional organizations that are involved with advocating for public health issues. Examples of completed projects will be shared with the audience.

Learning Objectives:

• Name the key elements of the learning experience.
• Explain the advantages and challenges of implementing the learning experience.
• Describe the short and longer term outcomes of the learning experience with students.

Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Nursing Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.