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The Development of Public Health Nursing Competencies for Novice Baccalaureate Nurses in

Canada.

Christina Rajsic RN, MN

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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CASN Sub-Committee on Public Health Education Members

Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler – Chair (University of Saskatchewan) Margaret Antolovich (Public Health Nurses Leaders Council of BC) Benita Cohen (University of Manitoba) Susan Froude (Nursing for Public Health Services for Grenfell Regional Health;

Western Regional School of Nursing) Omaima Mansi (McGill University) Donna Meagher-Stewart (CHNAC Heather Pattullo (Canadian Public Health Association) Christina Rajsic (University of Toronto) Pat Seaman (University of New Brunswick) Jo Ann Tober (ANDSOOHA) Ruta Valaitis (McMaster University) CASN: Janet Helmer, Colleen Ferris, Ellen Rukholm Karen Macdougall (PHAC consultant)

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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Presentation Objectives

To provide a summary of work completed to date of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) Sub-committee on Public Health Nursing Education

To identify current sub-committee activities • To develop criteria to determine the suitability of clinical

placements for public health nursing education in undergraduate programs

• To level the Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice with regard to standards to be met by Baccalaureate graduates

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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Background

CASN Public Health sub-committee formed in November 2004

Supported by CASN and the Public Health Agency of Canada

Pan Canadian survey and symposium conducted 2005 to 2006

Report submitted to CASN board reporting on survey and symposium results on November 2006

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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Survey and Symposium Results

Key finding from the Pan Canadian symposium is the disconnect between the theory and practice

There are a number of barriers and enablers to community health/public health nursing clinical placements (Survey and Symposium findings)

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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ResultsExternal Enablers and Challenges to Community Health Nursing Curriculum

(n = 61 except where noted)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Nature of practice environment

Licensing Body Approval Process

Preceptors (N=59)

Accreditation

Current Political Climate

Health Care Restructuring

Negotiating Placements (N=60)

Percentage

Enabling Neutral Challenging Not Applicable

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Survey Results Related to PlacementsSupportive community health nursing practice environments exist. Placement of students

• Public Health Unit/Department (n=2565)

• Schools (n=1940)• Community Agencies (n=1921)• Long-term Care Facilities

(n=1814)• Home Health Care (n=1286)• Primary Health Care Centres

(n=1075)

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Symposium and Survey Results

There is a need for stronger partnerships between academe and community clinical agencies

More allocation of resources is needed for education in community nursing

Recommendations have been forwarded to the CASN Board of Directors and the Public Health Agency of Canada

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

www.casn.ca

Current Activities of CASN Sub-Committee

Literature search

• Are there discipline specific competencies or standards in community health nursing for the newly graduated BScN nurse?

• How are competencies/standards leveled? (if at all)

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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Current Environment

Environmental Scan: • To explore current activities in Canada regarding

competencies, standards and clinical placements for community health nurses

• Sources of information scanned were provincial regulatory bodies, PHAC competencies, CCHNSoP, educational institutions, review of work from the Pan Canadian Symposium

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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Current Environment

Each source found, lists of 7 to 9 domains Domains vary, although some common themes

exist Further study will entail a comparison of the various

domains to determine variations and gaps Seeking feedback from stakeholders

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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Focus groups

Currently conducting focus groups at conferences (CHNAC, CPHA, CNA Annual conferences) to obtain representation from practice and education.

Standard focus group questions used CASN members recording feedback from

participants for analysis to describe practice environments that connect the theory practice divide.

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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Next Steps

Complete data collection for literature review and focus groups

Complete Leveling of CCHNSoP to identify standards to be met by baccalaureate nursing graduates (rather than by nurses 2 years after graduation)

Complete development of criteria to assess suitability of clinical placements for community/public health nursing education

…to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians

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Thank you