I'm taking a look at the materials sent for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Forum on the Future of Public Health Nursing I will be attending next week. I'm very interested in what this Forum will advance as key priorities in our profession.
A thought I have had over the last few months is that we have a unique role in that we accept the task of "going out" in our communities. I know of many professions that are trying to play a role in public health. All well-meaning and some effective in their own way. In my mind a constant and unrelenting role of nurses in our profession is hopping in the car to meet someone .... out there. Not many people in service will do that these days. Too inefficient! But is it?
Whether the task is labeled individual services or population health, it most likely will start and end with a smile, handshake or hug and a relationship that has said "You have value to me. I'll meet you where you're at".
Cheers everyone!
Janet
Janet,
ReplyDeleteThank you for representing all of us PHNs in Wisconsin, along with our other fellow PHN Colleagues and Leaders at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Forum. We know we can no longer be the silent workforce today. We are called to have more visibility and voice; advocating for our populations in need of health care in prevention, health promotion, and disease prevention. Thank you and to our colleagues for being the modern Lillian Wald's of today!
Thank you for representing all of us PHNs in Wisconsin; along with our other PHN Colleagues and Leaders at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Forum. We can no longer afford to be silent as a profession. We are called to advocate and be VISIBLE to address the population health needs of today. Thank you to you and our colleagues who are representing the modern Lillian Wald of today who walked the streets and advocated for public health in the early 1900's. We have significant health issues today that require a competent and sufficient PHN workforce to address health education, health promotion, and disease prevention. We have to be visible and no longer silent in addressing the health issues that affect our population today. Carry on !
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam! Getting to know other nurses across the state like you is such a great benefit of my job!
DeleteJanet