Overcoming barriers and improving public health nursing practice |
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Authors: | Carolyn Nganga-Good DrPH MS BSN RN Mattison Chayhitz MSN RN Pat McLaine DrPH MPH BSN RN |
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Affiliation: | 1. Maryland Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Public Health Nurse Leader, 2015—2017, Princeton, New Jersey;2. Former Graduate Research Assistant at University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland;3. Retired Specialty Director, Community Public Health Nursing Master's Program, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland |
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Abstract: | Public health nurses (PHN) are critical to ensuring the health of communities. Absent the most basic information on the PHN workforce in our state, we conducted interviews with 21 PHN and school health nurse (SHN) leaders and an online survey of PHNs and SHNs practicing in Maryland (N = 491). Our study identified an older, very experienced, and well-educated workforce. Both the interviews and survey identified similar barriers: low salaries, recruitment and hiring challenges, limited funding for public health programs, and no opportunities for education or career advancement. Survey participants also identified barriers of inadequate leadership, recognition, and communication including PHNs not being represented at decision-making tables or at the state leadership level. Strategies to promote public health nursing from leaders and survey participants were similar: increasing awareness about what public health and PHNs do and their value; improving advocacy and stakeholder engagement; improving access and availability of services; improving PHN leadership representation at the state level; a improving PHN salaries and benefits including tuition reimbursement. Although results were similar to national studies, comprehensive, granular workforce data is critical to ensure the public health workforce can meet current and emerging public health needs and that public health infrastructure and services are appropriately funded. |
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Keywords: | community health nursing nursing workforce public health nursing practice public health systems school health |
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