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Revealing the Voices of Public Health Nurses by Exploring Their Lived Experience
Author(s) -
Joyce Barbara L.,
O'Brien Karen,
BelewLaDue Brene,
Dorjee Tsering K.,
Smith Claudia M.
Publication year - 2014
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 - 10.1111/phn.12113
Subject(s) - public health nursing , public health , thematic analysis , nursing , focus group , public health nurse , qualitative research , community health , health promotion , medicine , psychology , sociology , social science , anthropology
Objective The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experience of the public health nurse and the value added by nurses working in public health roles. Design Focus groups were conducted using open ended questions to provide depth of understanding of the value of the public health nurse ( PHN ). Thematic categories emerged. Follow‐up telephone interviews were conducted with eleven public health nurses to further provide further depth and understanding. Sample The annual meeting of the Public Health Nurses Association of Colorado ( PHNAC ) was used to recruit volunteers for the study. Eighty‐eight public health nurses participated. Measurements Five questions were developed and a semi‐structured questionnaire was used to elicit discussion. Transcriptions were analyzed and coded for thrust and intent. Results Application of the study findings were used to develop an advocacy campaign for PHN s and provided foundation for development of an Interactive Learning Model a community/public health nursing course. Conclusions Application of study findings to the Cornerstones of Public Health Nursing (Keller, L., Strohschein, S., & Schaffer, M. Public Health Nursing. 28 (3), 249–260, [Keller, L., 2011]) are explored with recommendations for future research. Role validation of the value of public health nurses in the community can provide understanding of and support for public health nursing positions.