Omaha System as a Structured Approach to Public Health Nursing Education

Omaha System as a Structured Approach to Public Health Nursing Education

Background

QUAD Council PHN student competencies include: 11) utilizing Nursing Informatics to collect, analyze, store and retrieve data related to care of individuals/families/groups, and 12) Practices evidence‐based PHN to promote the health of individuals/families/groups. One technique to demonstrate achievement of PHN competencies includes case studies.

Method

A NI case study was developed for PHN students to identify and evaluate use of a standardized nursing terminology, the Omaha System, as an effective tool to demonstrate achieved PHN competencies, 11 and 12. The Omaha System Problem Classification and Intervention Schemes and Problem Rating Scale for Outcomes were mapped to the case study. The case study contained two audio tutorials. Part I discussed the Omaha System framework as it aligns with PHN competencies, 11 and 12. Part II included the clinical scenario, a frail elderly woman with a respiratory disorder residing in the community, a clinical summary, and the Omaha System assessment/interventions (EBP)/evaluation components. Upon completion of the case study, students took a quiz to measure content mastery.

Results

Students demonstrated mastery of NI and EBP content, averaging 97.1% of total quiz points. Final results of the case study quiz evaluation will be displayed in a presentation and will include quiz data and qualitative findings based on student comments.

Conclusions

Case studies are an effective tool for demonstrating PHN competencies that incorporate NI and EBP. The Omaha System mapped to a case study provided a structured approach allowing students to demonstrate achievement of PHN competencies.