Recorded presentation

Susan J. Zahner, DrPH, RN, School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin, P.O. Box H6/246 CSC, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53972-2455, 6082635282, sjzahner@wisc.edu

This study was conducted to examine the extent to which public health nurses (PHNs) perceive their practice is changing, to assess the quality of practice change with reference to population-focused practice, and to analyze contextual factors associated with practice change. A survey was conducted with PHNs working in local health departments (LHDs) in Wisconsin. A total of 424 nurses from 76 LHDs returned completed surveys (68% response rate). The 312 PHNs from 68 LHDs who had been employed for 5 or more years were included in this analysis. Considerable or dramatic change in work was reported by 62% of respondents, 64% reported formal position description changes, and 86% reported decreased or flat funding for PHN services in their agencies. An increased ability to contribute to improved public health or reduction of health disparities was reported by 60%. Practice was reported to be changing toward more emphasis on partnerships, prevention, and the entire community, and away from emphasis on individual care, direct services, and insurance-reimbursed services. PHNs reported practice was becoming more complex, requiring a greater breadth of skills. Kelly’s Contextual Transitional Model was used as a framework to guide hierarchical regression analysis of the associations between key health care system, community, professional, and organizational factors and change outcome variables. Findings of the analysis will be presented. Insights into interactions of multiple contextual factors influencing PHN practice change provided by this study will help guide nursing educators and managers in ongoing PHN workforce development and highlight areas for further research.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Understand the purpose, conceptual framework, and methods used in this study.
• 2.Describe the implications of the study findings for nursing education and practice.
• 3.Appreciate the complexities of PHN practice transition.

Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Professional Training

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.

Recorded presentation