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

Abstract #122063

Joy F. Reed, MS, EdD, RN, Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 1915 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1915, 919-715-4385, joy.reed@ncmail.net

This presentation will address the current scope of practice for nurses in public health emergency/disaster response events. It will highlight the results of a survey of state-level differences and similarities in authorities for nursing practice during public health emergency/disaster responses. The responsibilities of a public health chief nurse and of a public health nurse will be described in relation to the larger interdisciplinary team that is enacted in a rapid response aimed to protect the public using high quality interventions. Finally, there will be a discussion of changes that could improve response effectiveness.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the current scope of practice for nurses in public health disaster or emergency preparedness responses.
• Discuss changes needed to make responses more effective.
• Discuss the results of the survey to the Chief Nurses of the states on nurses’ roles and authorities during disaster or emergency preparedness and response events.

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