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

Abstract #116541

Norma Conner, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, St. Petersburg College, P.O. Box 13489, St. Petersburg, FL 33733, 727-341-3685, nrsnorma@verizonmail.com and Janie Canty-Mitchell, PhD RN, College of Nursing, Health Sciences Center, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 22, Tampa, FL 33612.

There is an increasing need to develop public health competencies in registered nurses, who make up the largest percentage of the health care workforce. Culturally competent care, skills in innovative approaches to health promotion, and proficiency in collaborating with diverse communities are key components to community program planning and policy development. However, only 40% of all registered nurses have basic educational experiences that develop public health competencies. The purpose of this presentation is to disseminate the results of innovative community-based service-learning projects that develop public competencies in registered nurses. Nurses enrolled in the University of South Florida bachelor's degree program complete a 90-hour public/community health clinical course that culminates in a service-learning project. The projects focus on health promotion/education to vulnerable populations in underserved areas. Students deliver services to rural, urban, migrant, and homeless populations, in as many as 14 counties in the west coast of Florida. Several service-learning projects have resulted in funded grant programs and improved services to indigent populations. Two service-learning projects are featured in this presentation: (a) health asset mapping to catalogue the resources of an underserved community and (b) an asthma education program to minority children and their families. Students completed service-learning projects in partnership with university faculty, community organizations, neighborhood associations, and health care institutions. From both service-learning projects, registered nurse students developed competencies in the core public health functions of assessment, assurance, and policy development. The projects resulted in tangible products for the community and positive outcomes for the targeted population.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, learners will be able to

• Link educational outcomes to program planning, policy development, and service delivery for underserved populations.
• Identify innovative community-based service-learning approaches to promoting health in diverse cultural groups.
• Develop service-learning programs to improve public health competencies in registered nurses.

Keywords: Community Assets, Service Learning

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.

Recorded presentation