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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Pamela A. Kulbok, DNSc, RN and Doris Glick, PhD, RN, MN. School of Nursing, University of Virginia, McLeod Hall, P.O. Box 800782, Charlottesville, VA 22908, (434) 924-0128, pk6c@virginia.edu
Little has been written expressly about the history of public health nursing (PHN) education. Yet, the early demand for PHN leaders was substantiated by editorials such as: "The Journal … Miss Nutting … Miss Wald … and … well known VNAs are beset with inquiries … where nurses may be found to fill positions opening so rapidly in new fields of visiting and social nursing. Especially … an urgent demand for nurses who can teach others … who can organize a whole community …" (AJN, 1911, p. 85). The first nurses employed by VNAs learned in an apprentice fashion. In 1906 the first postgraduate course in District Nursing was offered in Boston and in 1910 the first university program of study in PHN was established in New York City. After World War II the baccalaureate degree began to be viewed as a preparatory program for all nurses, and PHN became part of every baccalaureate program rather than a specialty. This review will focus on the competing demands of nursing and health care practice in hospitals and in communities, the impact of world events, expanding nursing education opportunities, and the development of nursing as a profession from 1900 to 1950. Defining context and characteristics of PHN leadership of the early to mid-20th century may serve to provide meaningful lessons for contemporary public health crises. Through critical historical analysis of primary and secondary sources, we will contribute to discourse on integration vs. specialization of PH content into essential undergraduate and graduate curriculum.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Education, Public Health Nursing
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.