Community/public health nursing faculty's knowledge, skills and attitudes of the Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses

A multisite collaborative team of community/public health nursing (C/ PHN ) faculty surveyed baccalaureate nursing faculty to explore their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of the Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses ( QCC ‐ PHN ). Objectives (1) Evaluate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the 2011 QCC ‐ PHN by academic C/ PHN faculty; (2) Evaluate the application of 2011 QCC ‐ PHN by C/ PHN faculty in the clinical practicum for undergraduate baccalaureate C/ PHN students; and (3) Determine if a significant difference existed in the knowledge for each domain. Design A mixed methods descriptive research design was used to answer three specific hypotheses related to the study objectives. A convenience sample of 143 faculty teaching C/ PHN in baccalaureate schools of nursing completed an online survey. Measurements ANOVA was used to determine the difference between knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of nursing faculty regarding the QCC ‐ PHN based on years of nursing experience, C/ PHN experience, and nursing specialty preparation. Participants’ qualitative comments for each domain were analyzed for themes. Results C/ PHN nursing faculty are described and differences in knowledge, skills, and attitudes delineated. A statistically significant difference was found in skills based on years of experience in C/ PHN and in the application of the competencies based on nursing specialty preparation. Variations in knowledge of the QCC ‐ PHN are identified. Conclusions Ten recommendations are proposed for key skill sets and necessary preparation for faculty to effectively teach C/ PHN in baccalaureate schools of nursing.