The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46041

Susan Metzger, MSN, RN, Community Health, Jefferson Health System, 130 So. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, 610.526.8720, Metzgers@comcast.net

The Congregational Nurse Network of Main Line Health (MLH) has been in existence since 1996. Congregational or parish nurse programs (13 programs) are supported through grants from the health system foundations. Every six months, congregational nurse sites provide MLH with a narrative of program highlights, challenges and goals. Evaluation of each program is also completed through personal conversation with congregational leadership, surveys, and attendance at health cabinet meetings. After year five, MLH hired a researcher to examine the issues facing congregational nurses in the faith community. Areas of concern and suggestions for improvement in the program were sought through a focus group format. The rationale, process, and results of this study, as well as the plan to use the results will be reviewed in this presentation.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this presentation, participants will 1)Discuss the challenges of congregational nurses working in the faith community.
• 2)Explore the role of congregational nurses in the continuum of public health nursing.
• 3)Examine focus groups as a tool for evaluation of programs.

Keywords: Evaluation,

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.