Recorded presentation

Margaret L. Beaman, RN, PhD¹, Patricia Donald, MS, BSN², Illinois Public Health Nursing Roundtable², and Advancing Public Health Nursing Education Project³. (1) School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Room 2339, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1066, (618) 650-3980, mbeaman@siue.edu, (2) Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, 3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085, (3) College of Nursing, University of Illinois, Peoria Campus, One Illinois Drive, Peoria, IL 61656-1649

This paper will present the accomplishments of the practice-education partnerships developed in Illinois to strengthen the PHN workforce. The first partnership was established through a HRSA grant, Advancing Public Health Nursing Education (APHNE). Regional consortia of public health nurse leaders from practice and education came together to solve mutual problems. The new educational initiatives soon spread to public health nursing programs in other Illinois regions. Curriculum changes were made, CE programs were offered in environmental health and health literacy, and enrollment increased in formal PHN MS programs. The second type of partnership was initiated by the PHN Roundtable established by the Illinois Public Health Nurse Administrators (IPHNA). PHN educators joined the Roundtable for shared discussion of issues relevant to both groups, i.e. preparation of future PHN employees and professional development of current staff. These nursing leaders developed a Public Health Nursing (PHN) Toolbox that includes references and online resources to orient new public health nurses, and provide in-service education for experienced staff in the following areas: core functions, federal, state and local structures, and public health nursing. The Toolbox was implemented in every local health department in 2003 and the first year evaluation will be presented. In addition a progress report on how Illinois educational settings have implemented the Quad Council’s PHN competencies will be presented. Many problems that Illinois has faced are not unique to this state. This presentation will allow time for nurses from other states and nations to share their partnership ventures, including barriers and strategies for success.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the process and three key components of successful a state-wide partnership among public health nurse leaders in practice and education.
• Describe the impact of a standard public health nursing resource (PHN Toolbox) across the state.
• Describe the use of PHN competencies in PHN curriculum

Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Collaboration

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