The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63480

Margaret L. Beaman, RN, PhD, School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Room 2339, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1066, (618) 650-3980, mbeaman@siue.edu, Pat Donald, RN, Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, 31010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085, and Evelyn Norton, RN, Illinois Department of Human Services, 112 S. Wabash Ave, Third Floor, Chicago, IL 60605.

One crucial component of a strong public health infrastructure is a well-prepared workforce. Many local health departments have difficulty hiring nurses with BS degrees and knowledge/experience in public health. To address these deficiencies, Illinois public health nursing leaders from clinical agencies and academia developed a Public Health Nursing (PHN) Toolbox. The Toolbox includes videotapes, books, references, and online resources to orient new public health nurses, and provide in-service education for experienced staff. The Toolbox Manual is divided into four Modules: I: Public Health Nurses Role in Core Functions, II: Federal and State Structures, III: Local Public Health Agencies, and IV: Public Health Nursing. This format allows more versatility in how the material can be used. The Leaders' Guide directs the use of the material. Evaluation includes self-testing at the end of each module, a post-test, self-reports of related work activities and reports from participants' supervisors. The presentation will include an overview of the development process and the content, the results of the Summer 2002 pilot study with seven local health departments and the statewide rollout process that begins March 1, 2003. The 35 pilot participants averaged 2-8 hours per Module, read the material at work (100%) and at home (42%), and found new material in each Module (5%-60%). Participants were most satisfied when Toolbox discussions were regularly scheduled. The Toolbox reinforced their appreciation for PHN. This presentation is relevant to clinicians and faculty who are developing similar products and as a model for other academic-clinical agency partnerships.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Identify the key components of educational material necessary for new and experienced public health nurses in local health departments.
  7. Describe the process of collaboration among public health nurse leaders in practice and education.
  11. Describe the outcomes of a pilot study of health department use of the Public Health Nursing Toolbox.
  15. Identify applications of the PHN Toolbox for public health nursing practice, education and future research.

Keywords: Infrastructure, 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.