Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102772

Jane M. Underwood, BScN MBA¹, Andrea O. Baumann, RN PhD¹, Anne Ehrlich, RN, BNSc, MHSc², and Jennifer M. Blythe, PhD¹. (1) Nursing Health Services Research Unit, McMaster University, MDLC 3500, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada, 905 525 9140 x 22380, undrwood@mcmaster.ca, (2) School of Nursing and Public Health Research and Development Program, McMaster University and City of Hamilton, Social and Public Health Services, PHRED Program, 1200 Main Street West, Room 3H48, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada

There are enablers and barriers for Public Health Nurses to practice core competencies. Recent public health events in Canada such as the SARS outbreak and threats of bio-terrorism as well as ongoing issues associated with our communities' health have demonstrated that improved public health capacity is required to meet modern health challenges. Because nurses represent about half the public health human resources in Canada, nursing capacity must be used to its full potential. The Government of Ontario is committed to strengthening the capacity of its community and public health systems and is funding a study to inform policy makers about the community nursing workforce. Public/community health nurses themselves consistently identify and define their roles and competencies. To understand the potential of Public Health Nursing capacity, it is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of their practice enablers. This presentation will report on the preliminary results of a province-wide investigation of community nurses, their interdisciplinary colleagues and health policy makers about the enablers and barriers for them to practice their full scope of skills and knowledge. Data collection methods include focus groups and a survey of nurses and policy makers. The results of the study will provide information to the provincial government about public health and other community nurses that will help them to create policies to strengthen the capacity of community and public health systems. This presentation will be useful to nurses and Public Health Administrators who are concerned about effective deployment of Public Health and other community health nurses. It will provide some of the evidence required for improved human resource policy in Public Health.

Learning Objectives:

• - recognize workplace factors that enable PHNs to practice core competencies
• - compare PHN enablers and barriers with those of other community health nurses

Keywords: Nurses, Public Health Administration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.