Oral

This session discusses current workforce challenges for public health nurses who work in various agencies including correctional institutions. Survey results of correctional nurses' experiences of violence in the workplace will be described as well as specific strategies to improve worker safety. Study results from a survey of perceptions on meaningfulness at work and results from a descriptive study on workplace culture and performance issues will be shared. Strategies will be discussed that may improve the workplace environment, patient outcomes, and the recruitment and retention of public health nurses. In addition, findings from telephone interviews of nursing students enrolled in on-line courses to further their education will be presented as a means of developing and diversifying the public health nursing workforce.

Session Objectives: Describe at least one significant risk that public health nurses face in the work environment. Discuss an approach to improving the work place culture for public health nurses. Identify how online graduate nursing courses can benefit nurses in the workforce.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)