Advancing Public Health Nursing Education
in Illinois

 

PHN Certification

Purpose

Create a policy statement and call to action for stakeholders who can influence and benefit from the certified PHNs' contributions to public health and the profession.

Background/Issues

Whereas Illinois public health nursing leaders are in agreement with the Institute of Medicine and Healthy People 2010 statements on the necessity of enhancing the competency of a public health workforce; and

Whereas certification is a recognized strategy designed to assure professional competency standards;

We recommend certification of Illinois public health nurses as a means to assure competency and recognize those able to meet current standards of population-focused practice.

Collaborators

Illinois Public Health Association - Nursing Section

UIC College of Nursing,Advancing Public Health Nursing Education (APHNE) in Illinois

Task Force Leaders
  • Wanda Aberle, MS, RN, Co-Director of Nursing
    Peoria City/County Health Department
  • Sarah Buller Fenton, MS, RN, BC, Director of Nursing
    Tazewell County Health Department

Goals

Primary
Develop a call to action for stakeholders who can influence and benefit from certified public health nurses' contribution to public health and the profession.
Long-term
Establish certification process for public health nurse generalists in Illinois.

Methods

  • Obtained input from APHNE Regional Consortia regarding certification and accreditation.
  • Formed a State Task Force among invited APHNE participants.
  • Scheduled regular meetings to further develop ideas and discuss benefits and barriers to implement policy.
  • Consulted with a UIC CON educator experienced in policy development to determine action plan.
  • Developed a multi-targeted action plan that resulted in the current policy statement that identifies a unified vision and secures the future of public health nursing.

Recommendations/Strategies

Future Challenges

  • Continue forward momentum until issue is completed and accepted by Illinois public health practitioners (administration to field staff), political leaders, and its citizens.
  • Implement the process.
  • Develop the infrastructure.