Make Life Better

Be a Public Health Nurse

What Is Public Health
Nursing?
 Public Health Nursing Is the
Practice of Promoting and
Protecting the Health of
Populations Using Knowledge
From Nursing, Social, and Public
Health Sciences.
American Public Health Association,
Public Health Nursing Section, 1996
Most Nurses Impact the Health
of Individuals One at a Time
Public Health Nurses Impact the
Health of Entire Communities
What Do Public Health Nurses
Do?
• Public Health Nurses Work in
numerous locations in the
community

• Their work is varied, flexible and

autonomous
 Public Health Nurses…

• Respond to emergencies including

infectious diseases and natural/man-made
disasters
• Provide preventative health services to
reduce the rate of disease
• Teach groups of people about
how they can be healthy
 Public Health Nurses…
• Track occurring communicable disease and
help people get treatment

• Organize health fairs and preventative

health screening
 Public Health Nurses…
• Work with schools regarding health and
development of students

• Educate the community about

environmental issues such as food
safety, lead, and clean air and water
 Public Health Nurses…
• Collaborate with advisory boards and
coalitions to promote health

• Participate in monitoring health care

institutions to assure quality care is provided
 Public Health Nurses…
• Link people to community programs and
services

• Advocate for people who need assistance

• Participate in developing policies and

quality assurance activities
 Public Health Nurses…

• Work with business and industry

to help their employees be healthier

• Assist individuals with special needs such

as the elderly, disabled and children.
Where Do Public Health
Nurses Work?
 Public Health Nurses are
Employed by:

The Missouri Department of

Health & Senior Services
(MDHSS) and City or County
Agencies in the Community.
Where Do I Find Information
About Becoming a Public
Health Nurse?
Contact ---
The Department of Health & Senior
Services at www.dhss.mo.gov
or call 573-751-6170
Or
The Local Public Health Department
in Your Community
THANK YOU!!!!