Public Health Nursing Continuing Education Program

The Institute for Public Health Practice at the University of Iowa has been awarded a grant from the Health Resources Services Administration to develop a public health nursing continuing education curriculum. In Iowa, most practicing public health nurses do not hold a BSN or related baccalaureate degree. State code requires public health nurses to complete a community health nursing program at an accredited university, yet most do not have access to such training.

This curriculum will fill that training gap, allowing public health nurses to complete the required course work and fulfill their responsibilities in delivering essential public health services to all Iowans. The curriculum will provide online foundational training in the public health essential services and core functions to members of the public health nursing workforce. The project involves a curriculum advisory committee, including representatives of the Upper Midwest Public Health Training Center, the University of Iowa College of Nursing, the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Iowa Public Health Association and the Iowa Association of Local public Health Agencies.

The curriculum is now available via the PrepareIowa Learning Management System at www.prepareiowa.com. Those who would like more information about the curriculum should contact Angela Harding at angela-harding@uiowa.edu or 319-335-8451.