Week 1: Foundations & History of Public Health Nursing Topics: Scope of public/community health nursing; historical evolution (Nightingale, Wald, public health milestones); roles in local/state/national systems; core competencies (Quad Council); introduction to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).
Discussion Questions (typical): How has the role of the public health nurse evolved from the 1800s to today? Provide one historical example and one modern example.
Why is understanding the history of public health nursing important for current practice?
Assignments/Deliverables: Submit Practicum Plan for approval (required before starting hours).
Deliverable 1: Public Health & Community Nursing Infographic (or timeline/resume format) – Explain scope, importance, historical roles (submit when ready; often Week 1–2 target).
Week 2: Community Assessment & Social-Ecological Model Topics: Community assessment process (windshield survey, data collection); Social-Ecological Model (individual → interpersonal → organizational → community → policy levels); introduction to epidemiology basics and public health datasets (CDC, county rankings).
Discussion Questions: How does the Social-Ecological Model help explain health disparities in a community you are familiar with?
Share one strength and one challenge in conducting a community assessment.
Assignments: Begin practicum indirect hours (assessment/planning). Prepare for Deliverable 2 concept map.
Week 3: Factors Influencing Health & Vulnerable Populations (Part 1) Topics: Cultural, socioeconomic, behavioral, and environmental factors on health; Health Belief Model; vulnerable populations (e.g., low-income, homeless, immigrants, elderly); health disparities and equity.
Discussion Questions: How do cultural beliefs influence health behaviors in a specific population (e.g., vaccination hesitancy)?
Discuss one socioeconomic barrier to health access and a potential nursing intervention.
Assignments: Deliverable 2: Concept Map – Factors Influencing a Public Health Issue (e.g., childhood obesity, diabetes in a chosen population; uses Social-Ecological Model).
Week 4: Public Health Policy & Advocacy Topics: Local/state/national policy impact on health; policy analysis framework; advocacy roles of public health nurses; examples (e.g., WIC, ACA, tobacco control, vaccine mandates).
Discussion Questions: How has a specific public health policy (e.g., WIC) positively or negatively affected a vulnerable population?
What is the nurse’s role in policy advocacy? Provide an example.
Assignments: Deliverable 3: Public Health Policy Executive Summary (2–3 pages on a chosen policy; analyze impact, strengths/weaknesses, recommendations).
Week 5: Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities (Part 2) Topics: In-depth focus on vulnerable groups (homeless, refugees, rural, LGBTQ+, low-income pregnant women); SDOH assessment; interventions for disparities.
Discussion Questions: Identify one vulnerable population in your community and one key health disparity. How can public health nursing address it?
Share an example of cultural competence in caring for a diverse population.
Assignments: Deliverable 4: Vulnerable Population Report (assess determinants, data, propose multidimensional strategies).
Week 6: Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases Topics: Principles of epidemiology; chain of infection; surveillance/reporting; communicable diseases (HIV, TB, hepatitis, STDs, influenza, emerging threats); outbreak investigation; prevention strategies.
Discussion Questions: Analyze the impact of a recent communicable disease outbreak (e.g., COVID-19 variant or mpox) on community health.
How can nurses promote vaccination or STI prevention in vulnerable groups?
Assignments: Deliverable 5/6: Communicable Disease Communication Document (educational material/presentation for public on chosen disease; include data, interventions, collaboration).
Week 7–8: Health Promotion, Prevention & Community Action Planning Topics: Health promotion models; primary/secondary/tertiary prevention; community action planning; stakeholder collaboration; evaluation of interventions.
Discussion Questions: Describe a health promotion strategy that addresses behavioral factors in a vulnerable population.
How do you involve community stakeholders in planning and evaluation?
Assignments: Deliverable 7: Community Action Plan (step-by-step guide; problem ID, data, cultural/behavioral considerations, strategies, implementation, evaluation, nurse role).
Continue/Complete practicum hours (direct + indirect).
Week 9–11: Collaboration, Education, Reflection & Course Synthesis Topics: Interprofessional collaboration; public health education/dissemination; ethical issues; reflection on practicum and competencies; synthesis of public health nursing role.
Discussion Questions (final/reflective): Reflect on your practicum experience: How did it change your view of public health nursing?
How will you apply course concepts (e.g., SDOH, policy advocacy) in future practice?
Discuss a key challenge in collaborating with community partners and one solution.
Assignments: Practicum reflections (tied to core clinical objectives).
Competency reflection paper or final portfolio submission.
Any remaining deliverable revisions or late submissions (CBE allows flexibility).
