Heeding the IOM call: Integrating public health into primary care nurse practitioner (NP) curricula

The IOM's recent report calls for integrating primary care and public health. The emphasis on enhancing the numbers of primary care NPs is necessary to increase access to care. However, primary care NPs also need public health knowledge and competencies if they are to be instrumental in developing and implementing the necessary population-focused strategies to meet the Healthy People 2020 goals. Primary care NP programs are challenged to incorporate the necessary public health content into DNP curricula, as programs are already lengthy. This session describes the innovative efforts of faculty at one university in incorporating public health content into the DNP curriculum of primary care NP students to develop the necessary competencies to meet the health needs of populations across diverse settings. The focus is on two tracks: BSN to DNP Family NP and post master's Primary Care NP in Enhancing Population Health Outcomes. This session will describe the public health courses based on Quad Council/Council of Linkages competencies that are substituted for two nursing courses. The courses prepare students to work as part of a team to: (1) assess a clinical population for the most prevalent risks and health needs, (2) develop interventions to address unmet needs, and (3) engage in health promotion and disease intervention planning for vulnerable groups. Curricula suggestions are provided for other programs looking to integrate public health content into DNP curricula, to help assure primary care NPs are prepared to be effective team members in improving health outcomes for populations in their practice settings.