The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #37243

Derryl E. Block, PhD, MPH, RN¹, V. Jane Muhl, PhD, MSN, RN², Marsha Sternard, MSN, RN¹, and Christine VanDenHouten, MSN, RN³. (1) Professional Program in Nursing, U of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Mary Ann Cofrin Hall, Green Bay, WI 54311-7001, 920-465-2976, blockd@uwgb.edu, (2) School of Professional Studies, U of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311-7001, (3) Bellin College of Nursing, 725 S. Webster Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301

The University of Wisconsin (UW)-Green Bay offers three tracks for RNs completing the baccalaureate degree: Campus, Collaborative, and National. The model underlying each track involves challenges and opportunities for teaching public health nursing (PHN). The Campus track consists of face-to-face courses, usually scheduled one day or evening per week, on the Green Bay campus. In this model, students meet face to face for both PHN theory and for practicum discussions/conferences. The Collaborative track for Wisconsin residents offers nursing courses taught by distance technology, usually Internet, by nursing faculty at the five UW campuses offering the BSN degree. In this model, the PHN theory course is delivered on-line, but students have face-to-face meetings for practicum discussions/conferences. The National track is similar to the Collaborative track but is available for students nationwide. In this model, both the PHN theory and the practicum discussions/conferences are delivered on-line. Challenges include: teaching and learning in a time intensive Campus course when students are used to coming to campus one day per week; coordination between theory and practicum content, especially when faculty are located on different campuses; and arranging, coordinating, and evaluating PHN practicum in states distant from the school where the student is enrolled. Opportunities include: opportunities for meeting PHN workforce needs of a larger geographic region; opportunities for meeting student learning needs in different ways; increased collaboration between faculty of different schools; and students and faculty learning about the organization and practice of PHN across the country.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify models of public health nursing education in BSN completion programs
• Discuss challenges and opportunities of models of public health nursing education in BSN completion programs

Keywords: Public Health Education, Public Health Nursing

Related Web page: www.uwgb.edu/nursing/index.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: U of Wisconsin-Green Bay U of Wisconsin System
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by U of Wisconsin-Green Bay.