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Public Health Nursing: The Generalist in a Specialized Environment
Author(s) -
May Kathleen M.,
Phillips Linda R.,
Ferketich Sandra L.,
Verran Joyce A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1046/j.1525-1446.2003.20402.x
Subject(s) - public health nursing , public health , nursing , occupational health nursing , nursing research , generalist and specialist species , health care , nurse education , health policy , action (physics) , medicine , political science , ecology , physics , quantum mechanics , habitat , law , biology
In implementing a generalist model of public health nursing (the Comprehensive Multi‐level Nursing Practice Model) in a rural county health department, a research team encountered critical challenges. The framework for the model was a philosophy of public health nursing practice and action research to support the public health nurse generalist role. Challenges in implementing the model stemmed from conflicts between the research team and the health department that were rooted in philosophical differences about how to implement care and the nature of nursing and the public health nursing role. Key factors were the subtle forces operating in the public health environment that constrain the public health nurse generalist role. Based on conflicts that arose in implementing the model, implications for public health nursing practice are in opportunities to influence policy at health department and other levels and responsibility for assuring professional practice.