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Excellence
in Public Health Nursing
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FACTS
ABOUT
Professional/Academic Partnership
EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
The
University of Missouri-Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing
in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Health and
Senior Services (DHSS) received funding from the Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA) for a three-year grant
(2001 - 2004). This funding provides an opportunity for practicing
public health nurses to learn more about population-based
concepts and practice. Purposes of the program are to (1)
provide coursework in population-based practice and the expanding
public health nurse role, (2) enhance leadership and mentoring
skills, and (3) create a collaborative learning environment
utilizing mentors.
The project is open to registered nurses practicing in public
health settings in Missouri:
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local public health agencies
- Department of Health and Senior Services
- school health.
Excellence
In Leadership
An
Excellence in Leadership program is offered to prepare mentors
to assist students with the course and its application to
nursing practice. This program consists of face-to-face classes
supplemented with selected web-based learning. It is designed
to develop and/or enhance leadership skills as well as explore
public health, policy and advocacy issues and teach mentoring
skills. Interested persons apply and are selected to participate
in the program. Participants will commit to completing the
leadership program and serving as mentor for at least one
student.
Principles of Public Health Nursing:
Population-Based Practice
Knowledge of public health and population-based
concepts is a marker of excellence for public health nursing
practice. However, it is content and a set of skills not contained
within traditional associate degree and diploma programs.
This project provides a course that focuses on population-based
concepts and application to practice. For those without a
baccalaureate degree, the four credit-hour course is equivalent
to the baccalaureate course, Nursing in Communities, a requirement
in the MU RN-BSN Option. The 12-week course is delivered on-line,
using a distance-learning format, with practicum experiences
in the student's agency. Experienced nurses (mentors) will
be paired with students enrolled in the course to complete
the practicum component and provide support and mentoring.
This course may also be taken for continuing education credit
for those interested in taking the course for professional
development.
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The
public health system is experiencing rapid change and
previously unknown challenges. As a result, nurses are
being thrust into new roles and must manage issues for
which they are not prepared. This project provides the
knowledge and skills nurses need to meet community needs
now and in the future. Investment in education will
benefit the community, the local agency and the individual
nurse. An additional benefit is the opportunity for
nurses in local public health to meet the educational
requirements for local public health agency accreditation.
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