Enhancing Public Health Nursing of a mid-western state: Utilization of a Local Public Health Workforce Development Toolkit

Public health nurses currently lack visibility and clear definition. An opportunity exists to define this state's Public Health Nursing, increasing its capacity and accountability. The utilization of the Public Health Workforce Development Toolkit will increase the quality and capacity of public health nurses of this mid-western state through more concise competencies and standardization. To respond to the initiative for National Public Health Accreditation, a mid-western state completed the National Public Health Performance Standards Program state level public health systems assessment. The assessment team included members of the state health department's various program areas, university educators, social service coordinators, and governmental officials. Data from the assessment indicated Essential Service #8, Assure a Competent Public Health and Personal Healthcare Workforce, was not met with this state's current public health workforce composition. Results of the local public health systems assessment mirrored the state results for Essential Service #8. The development of the Local Public Health Workforce Development Toolkit was one of multiple mini-learning collaborative programs, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, National Network of Public Health Institutes, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The collaborative effort to develop the Toolkit supports the state's public health workforce across all specialties. The Toolkit provides foundation and data demonstrating the need for such a resource, given this state's current public health environment, defining the 10 Essential Public Health Services and core functions of public health. The Quad Council's Core Competencies provide basis for skill sets. Documentation tools, training resources, and a performance plan assists administrators and staff to clearly assess performance and develop action plans. A marketing PowerPoint presentation will engage local policymakers for support. Evaluation data from an early pilot project among six counties provides guidance for refinement of the tool. The Local Public Health Workforce Development Toolkit provides a tangible resource to support a robust public health system in this state. Public health nurses of this mid-western state will benefit through increasing visibility, credibility, and accountability of nursing practice within the public health nursing system.