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Jake is a public health nursing student who has 10 years of experience in the acute care setting as an associate degree nurse. His expertise has been in the area of cardiac care, working in the coronary care unit at a local hospital. Jake has returned to school to complete a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Leaders of the community surrounding the university that Jake attends have identified the need to address healthcare access for the homeless population. Representatives of a local church approached the university to work with church members to develop a clinic for the homeless population by using resources in the community and students for the delivery of care for this underserved population. Jake's preceptor, Linda, a public health nurse (PHN), is representing the local public health department at planning meetings. Jake will have the opportunity to learn how professionals, community members, and organizations collaborate to contribute to the development of a community clinic that serves a vulnerable population. Jake has many questions, such as: With whom would he collaborate to contribute to this goal? Who should be invited to be partners in the collaboration? How does such a diverse group work together? What is the PHN's responsibility in collaborative work?
Before Jake attends the first planning meeting with Linda, he picks up his notebook to review the population-based public health nursing competency list and concentrates on Competency #6, which focuses on collaborative practice.
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JAKE'S NOTEBOOK Competency #6 Utilizes Collaboration to Achieve Public Health Goals
Demonstrates effective participation on interprofessional teams
Develops relationships and builds partnerships with individuals, families, communities, and systems
Utilizes community assets and community engagement to empower individuals, families, communities, and systems
Source: Henry Street Consortium, 2022
USEFUL DEFINITIONS Collaboration: “[E]nhances the capacity to promote and protect health for mutual benefit and a common purpose. Collaboration involves exchanging information, harmonized activities, and shared resources” (National Business Coalition on Health, 2009, p. 8).
Community Asset: “Anything that can be used to improve the quality of community life,” including people, physical structures, community services, and businesses (Berkowitz & Wadud, n.d., “What is a community asset?” section).
Community Engagement: Collaborating with community members and/or community organizations to mutually participate in problem-solving to address issues that affect their well-being (Martinez et al., 2020).
Interprofessional Collaboration: “Practice and education where individuals from two or more professional backgrounds meet, interact, learn together, and practice with the client at the center of care” (Prentice et al., 2015, p. 1). The goal of interprofessional collaboration is to maximize the contributions of various professionals to maximize quality care (Dahl & Crawford, 2018).
Partnership: Individuals or organizations sharing ideas, experiences, skills, and resources to address problems through mutual decision-making and action (Bhatt & Bathija, 2018).
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ACCOMPLISHING MORE BY WORKING TOGETHER
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PHNs work with many individuals, healthcare agencies, and community organizations. Collaboration can take place ...