Strengthening the public health infrastructure and eliminating health disparities are recognized national priorities (APHA 1999; Healthy People 2010). As part of their mission, public health agencies (PHAs) provide population- and community-focused health services while assuring that underserved groups have access to individual- and family-level care. This dynamic tension in service provision, and persistent threats from under-funding and lack of recognition by the public and other professionals, present challenges to public health nursing supervisors (SPHNs) who must provide effective leadership to the largest core group of public health providers-public health nurses (PHNs). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 SPHNs, 3 nursing directors, and 3 health directors in one of three county PHAs (in North Carolina) which differed by organizational structure and governance. Data were collected as part of a larger study focusing on PHNs' role identity and job satisfaction in a time of change and uncertainty in public health.
The presentation of narrative data and participants' validation of findings enhance the credibility of this study. In all three agencies, supervisors identified challenges at three levels-agency, self, and staff-that related primarily to the core functions of assurance and policy development. While some challenges (e.g., motivating employees, enhancing disciplinary skills) are amenable to intervention at the organizational level, others (e.g., improving state leadership) are dependent on change at the broader system level. Study results have implications for PHN education, SPHN training, and public health policy-making at the agency, state, local, and national levels.
Learning Objectives: Identify three educational interventions to enhance public health nursing supervisors' leaadership and managerial effectiveness. Name one strategy at the local, state, and national level for strengthening public health nursing practice in the core function areas
Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Infrastructure
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.