Oral

Lack of data on the activities of practicing public health nurses (PHNs) across the United States presents barriers to establishing a national standard for PHN staffing. The daily activities of a PHN are often vaguely defined and difficult to describe. It is even more difficult to ascertain if the work of PHNs across the nation are similar or vastly different. In response to those challenges, a national nursing organization undertook a task analysis of public health nursing activities. The study was conducted with 60 staff level PHNs representing 30 states. The PHNs in the sample were baccalaureate prepared with at least 3 years of experience and represented the broad scope of PHN practice. The first survey identified the PHN activities participants typically performed in their public health nursing job; the second survey probed deeper into each PHN activity previously identified by the participants. The completion rate for the first survey was 100% (60/60) and the completion rate for the second survey was 82% (49/ /60). Despite the considerable differences in geography and population size, the task analysis revealed remarkable similarities in the work of PHNs across the nation. It also documented the enormous contributions of public health nurses to the health of populations in the nation. This session will highlight the major findings of the task analysis.

Session Objectives: 1. Discuss two primary exemplars from the task analysis that describe public health nursing activities that promote the health of communities. 2. Explain two advocacy strategies for nurses working with vulnerable populations. 3. Identify two roles that public health nurses have with preventing communicable diseases.

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