Mary E Craig, RN, MSN, MS¹, Connie R. Bouligny, RNCS, MN¹, Stacy Stevens Hall, RNC, MSN², Cindy S Knight, RN, MS³, Vickie P Thomas⁴, and Doris G. Brown, MS,, RN,, CNS⁵. (1) Nursing, Department of Health & Hospitals Office of Public Health, 325 Loyola Avenue, Room 315, New Orleans, LA 70112, (2) Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section, Louisiana Office of Public Health, 325 Loyola Avenue, # 615, New Orleans, LA 70112, (3) Nursing Services/Region 9, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health, 325 Loyola Avenue, Room 315, New Orleans, LA 70112, (4) Facility Manager c/o Nursing, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health, P.O. Box 1601, Tallulah, LA 71284-1601, (5) Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals, 325 Loyola Ave, Room 305, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-568-6494, dbrown@dhh.state.la.us

BACKGROUND: The Institute of Medicine (2003) report on The Future of the Public’s Health recommends that managers and leaders in public health expand skill sets by communicating agency values to employees. In collaboration with Tulane University School of Public Health- South Central Public Health Leadership Institute (SCPHLI) and the Louisiana Office of Public Health Nursing Services, this study is proposing an online module, titled “Public Health Nurses – Prepared to Respond.” SCPHLI is a regional collaboration offering leadership development and enhancement for practicing public health professionals. The module represents the basic competency set for nurses working in public health. Public health nursing roles and responsibilities have expanded due to the increased need for training in natural and man-made disasters as well as for increased need for community education and collaboration on disease prevention and management. METHODS: Using a logic model, the five-member nursing team is in process of developing the online module. The Core Values of Public Health define the phases of the project: the initial or formative phase to assess the needs within the organization, defining the mission, goals, and outcome; developing the policy learning module to address the need; and assurance through evaluation of the process and the module. RESULTS: The module is intended to develop competencies for both new and experienced public health nurses through historical understanding of public health nursing, current roles, and evolving roles and responsibilities. Evaluation is ongoing, through statewide nursing leadership collaboration, process evaluation, and pilot testing of the module.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant (learner)will be able to

• Identify significant public health events that influenced nursing.
• Identify the core functions, mission, goal and vision of public health and how they impact nursing practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of nursing preparedness and the actions utilized in response to identified needs.
• Identify new and evolving roles of the public health nurse.

Keywords: Public Health Education and Health Promotion, Community-Based Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health
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.