Using data visualization to characterize whole-person health of public health nurses

Objective

To characterize patterns in whole-person health of public health nurses (PHNs).

Design and Sample

Survey of a convenience sample of PHNs (n = 132) in 2022. PHNs self-identified as female (96.2%), white (86.4%), between the ages 25–44 (54.5%) and 45–64 (40.2%), had bachelor's degrees (65.9%) and incomes of $50-75,000 (30.3%) and $75-100,000/year (29.5%).

Measurements

Simplified Omaha System Terms (SOST) within the MyStrengths+MyHealth assessment of whole-person health (strengths, challenges, and needs) across Environmental, Psychosocial, Physiological, and Health-related Behaviors domains.

Results

PHNs had more strengths than challenges; and more challenges than needs. Four patterns were discovered: (1) inverse relationship between strengths and challenges/needs; (2) Many strengths; (3) High needs in Income; (4) Fewest strengths in Sleeping, Emotions, Nutrition, and Exercise. PHNs with Income as a strength (n = 79) had more strengths (t = 5.570, p < .001); fewer challenges (t = -5.270, p < .001) and needs (t = -3.659, p < .001) compared to others (n = 53).

Conclusions

PHNs had many strengths compared to previous research with other samples, despite concerning patterns of challenges and needs. Most PHN whole-person health patterns aligned with previous literature. Further research is needed to validate and extend these findings toward improving PHN health.