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This is the beginning of your story as a public health nurse (PHN) and of thinking of ways you can use public health nursing competencies in other settings in your future career. The chapters in this book have given you a foundation in the Henry Street Consortium entry-level, population-based public health nursing competencies that emphasize the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to be an effective PHN. What are the next steps for developing your expertise in public health nursing?
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WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
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When PHNs and educators created the Henry Street Consortium competencies, they also generated a basic public health nursing knowledge base to serve as the foundation for public health nursing practice. In smaller local health departments, PHNs need a broader knowledge to be competent in providing services in many areas of public health. In larger public health agencies, PHNs might need more in-depth knowledge and expertise in specific areas of public health, such as following up on a population with drug-resistant tuberculosis or working with schools and community agencies to prevent teen pregnancy. Keep in mind that PHNs also work in many organizations other than official public health agencies, such as home visiting nurse associations, schools, corporations that include occupational health positions, correctional facilities, and nonprofit organizations that value and need the expertise of PHNs. Current knowledge areas for population-based practice areas include the following:
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Antepartum/postpartum
Chemical health issues and behaviors
Chronic disease prevention and management
Death and dying
Disaster and bioterrorism response
Disease prevention and control
Environmental health and safety
Epidemics and pandemics
Family development
Family planning
Health determinants
Health informatics
Health promotion for all ages
Human growth and development
Human sexuality
Immunizations across the life span
Injury prevention
Medication administration/management
Mental health
Nutrition
Parenting
Social justice
Technical nursing skills
Violence prevention
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Many nursing students worry about being knowledgeable in medication administration and technical nursing skills as they seek their first employment as a nurse. Likewise, nurses new to public health nursing might feel less prepared in public health knowledge areas that are essential for successful public health nursing practice. If you are interested in an entry-level position in public health or community health nursing, look carefully at the position description to determine whether you have an adequate knowledge base and skill set to perform the job responsibilities. Seek a mentor and establish a plan for strengthening your current knowledge base and skill set. Consider volunteering for community-based health-related activities, such as the Medical Reserve Corps, to increase your exposure to public health and the needs of the community.
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PREPARING FOR POPULATION HEALTH PRACTICE
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PHNs in the United States have provided public health nursing services for populations since Lillian Wald focused on the needs of the population surrounding the Henry Street Settlement in New York City in the 1890s (Kub et al., 2017...