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

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

3310.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #68024

Cornerstones of public health nursing

Linda Olson Keller, MS, BSN, CS1, Susan Strohschein, MS, BSN2, Marie E. Margitan, BSN, MSN2, Karen Zilliox, BSN2, Mary J. Rippke, BS, MS2, Karen Jorgensen-Royce, BSN, MS1, Mary Orban, BSN2, and Wendy L. Kvale, BSN2. (1) Office of Public Health Practice - Center for Public Health Nursing, Minnesota Department of Health, Metro Square Building, P.O. Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164, 651-296-9176, linda.keller@health.state.mn.us, (2) Office of Public Health Practice - Local Capacity Unit, Minnesota Department of Health, St. Cloud District Office, 3400 First Street North, St.Cloud, MN 56303

Public health nursing practice fcuses on entire populations; relects community priorities and needs; establishes caring relationships with the communities, families, individuals and systems that comprise the populations PHNs serve; is grounded in social justice, compassion, sensitivity to diversity, and respect for the worth of all people, especially the vulnerable; encompasses the mental, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental aspects of health; promotes health through strategies driven by epidemiological evidence; collaborates with community resources to achieve those strategies, but can and will work alone if necessary; and is an independent practice within the authority of the Nurse Practice Act. This unique synthesis of skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values are the “Cornerstones of Public Health Nursing.” The Cornerstones, grounded in the disciplines of public health and nursing, provide a shared understanding of the assumptions and concepts that guide public health nursing practice. Developed through years of grounded debate and reflection by a group of public health nurse consultants, the Cornerstones have become an important part of public health nursing practice. The Cornerstones are used by educators as a framework for teaching public health nursing, by practitioners for continuing education and orientation, and by PHN staff, administrators, educators and consultants as an ethical decision-making framework. This presentation will introduce the Cornerstones, their origin, the process used to disseminate them, and describe the many ways that the public health nursing community has utilized the Cornerstones to inspire, guide, direct, and challenge public health nursing practice.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Ethics

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.

Creative Collaboration

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