Online Program

Oral

This session will examine key advocacy strategies used in Louisiana to propose changes in the nurse practice act. These changes will allow public health nurses and advanced practice nurses from other states to practice to the full extent of their education and license and ensure an adequate disaster response team. Public health nurses are ideally suited to prepare communities to meet the challenges of disaster response. Strategies to build capacity within communities through collaboration and stakeholder engagement will be explored. With an increase in natural and human-induced disasters public health nurses are in a position to assume strong leadership roles during disaster preparedness and response. Unfortunately most nurses do not feel prepared for disasters (Baack & Alfred, 2013). Therefore, nurses will be introduced to personal leadership development plans and provided tools necessary to organize a leadership development workgroup.

Session Objectives: 1. Identify 2 key strategies used to advocate for regulatory change to ensure disaster response capacity. 2. Discuss 2 skills necessary to facilitate stakeholder engagement for disaster readiness. 3. Detail steps for an effective leadership development workgroup to build capacity of public health professionals.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)