 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Elaine Conley, RN, MPH, Office of the Director, Alameda County Public Health Department, 1000 Broadway, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94607, 510-208-5948, econley@co.alameda.ca.us
This paper describes the current funding streams and organizational structures for public health nursing. It further explores the impact these funding streams have had on public health nursing's ability to address core public health functions in any meaningful way including health disparities and social justice issues. It also explores the pros and cons of a generalist public health nursing model vs. a specialized public health nursing model and discusses the impact these two models have had on public health nursing practice over the past two decades.
The presentation will focus on the importance of developing a strategic direction for public health nursing at both the state and national levels which encompases the full scope of public health nursing practice and the infrastructure requirements needed for this scope of practice.
In summary public health nursing is being pulled in multiple directions and may not have the capacity to do the basic required work as described in the three core functions and ten essential services. We must be able to definitively state the role of public health nursing practice not only for California, but for the Nation and to realign the practice within this defined scope of work.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.