Public health nurses' activities at a time of specialization in nursing-A national study

Abstract

Objectives: To provide a detailed, up-to-date account of the job description and practice areas of current public health nurses.

Design and sample: A cross-sectional study. A sample of 824 public health nurses, 80% of public health nurses in Israel, participated in a national structured survey.

Measures: A structured questionnaire eliciting self-reported public health nursing activities, priorities, perceived deficiencies, and job satisfaction was compiled.

Results: Nearly 70% of surveyed public health nurses provided individual-level interventions and less population-health-focused activities such as community needs assessments and development and implementation of community-based projects.

Conclusions: Advanced training should be required in several areas of practice and the scope of public health nurses' practice should be expanded, with greater emphasis on population health.

Keywords: health services; job characteristics; public health nursing practice; scope of practice.