Thelma Egnozzi, RN, MSN¹, Norman L. GrayJr., PHN, MS², and Roberto Avitia, PHN, BSN². (1) Office of Education and Professional Development, County Of Los Angeles, Department Of Health Services, Public Health Nursing Administration, 750 S. Park Ave., Pomona, CA 91766, 909-868-0280, tegnozzi@dhs.co.la.ca.us, (2) Education and Professional Development Unit, County of Los Angeles, Department of Health Services, Public Health Nursing, 241 N. Figueroa Street, Room 347, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The environment is a primary determinant of health and its importance to public health nursing cannot be overstated. Because of their consistent interaction with members of the communities, public health nurses have the opportunity to detect exposures in the environment, yet may be inadequately prepared to address environmental health risks. Providing a meaningful environmental health curriculum for novice and experienced public health nurses can be a challenging task during a time when cost containment is a major factor in public health organizations.

Strategies for defining essential environmental health curriculum content, learning objectives, knowledge and skills inventories were developed through a collaborative process at County of Los Angeles, Department of Health Services, Public Health Nursing. The course content is grounded in Public Health Nursing Practice Standards, Core Functions of Public Health, epidemilogy, determinants of health and are presented to all new public health nursing employees. Public health nursing staff are provided with additional continuing education courses which encompass environmental health issues and application of the Public Health Nursing Practice Model to augment knowledge and skills. Individuals also have the opportunity to learn at their own pace through application of web based self-directed learning modules.

Shared resources and collaborative processes in a cost containment environment can result in success for public health nurses and populations that they serve. Examples of curriculum development and implementation through collaboration will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to

1.Identify two strategies to enhance enviornmental health curriculum for public health nurses.
• Articulate a collaborative process in a cost containment environment that can result in environmental health curricula content.
• Define two essential elements of enviornmental health course content.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Public Health Nursing

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.