Oral

The purpose of this session is to analyze contemporary issues in public health nursing practice. The session includes papers that consider core competency training for nurses caring for indigent populations; the scope and practice of public health nursing; PHN competencies; contextual factors influencing the counseling of pregnant women; and the standardization of practices in prenatal case management programs. The session has relevance for PHNs and other health professionals practicing in public health settings as well as educators and researchers.

Session Objectives: 1.Identify the potential impact of a core competency training on nurse care manager skill development in preventive health. 2.Describe the scope and practice of public health nursing in a governmental health department 3.Identify and discuss the essential public health function which PHN Competencies address. 4.Describe contextual factors that influence the effectiveness of nurses in counseling pregnant women on smoking cessation. 5.Discuss the association between the underpinnings of prenatal case management programs and standardization of practices.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing