Matching a graduate curriculum in public/community health nursing to practice competencies: the Rush University experience.

Full Abstract

An evidence-based approach to Public/Community Health Nursing (P/CHN) requires that P/CHN educators prepare practitioners with the relevant skills, attitudes, and knowledge. Such education should be competency-based and have measurable outcomes to demonstrate student preparation. In 2003, the Quad Council competencies were developed to be applied at two levels of public health nursing practice:
the staff nurse/generalist role and the manager/specialist/consultant role. This paper describes a process for evaluation and revision of a graduate curriculum to prepare Advanced Practice Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in P/CHN, to ensure that the educational program addresses and develops knowledge and proficiency in all relevant competencies. This paper documents the process of integrating the competencies throughout the P/CHN graduate curriculum at varying levels, guiding students to achieve proficiency in each competency by the end of the program. Measurement of achievement in these competencies will be discussed, and examples provided. Advanced Practice Public Health Nurses educated via this competency-based approach will be prepared to sit for national certification as a CNS in Public/Community Health, and to assume leadership roles in public health nursing.

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Author information

Author/s: Swider, Susan (S); Levin, Pamela (P); Ailey, Sarah (S); Breakwell, Susan (S); Cowell, Julia (J); McNaughton, Diane (D); O'rourke, Marilyn (M);

Affiliation: Rush University Medical Center, College of Nursing, Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Chicago, Illinois, USA. susan_swider(-atsign-)rush.edu

Grants: D09HP03144 (Agency:PHS HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.) (Public Health Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 Mar-Apr; vol 23 (issue 2) : pp 190-5

Dates: Created 2006/05/10; Completed 2006/07/11; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16684194, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attitude of Health Personnel
Competency-Based Education - organization & administration
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Curriculum - standards
Education, Nursing, Graduate - organization & administration
Educational Measurement
Evidence-Based Medicine
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Services Needs and Demand
Humans
Illinois

Leadership
Models, Educational
Models, Nursing
Nurse Administrators - education; organization & administration
Nurse Clinicians - education; organization & administration
Nurse's Role
Nursing Education Research
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Professional Competence - standards
Program Evaluation - economics
Public Health Nursing - education; organization & administration

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