title: Public health nursing competencies for public health surge events.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop consensus regarding public health nursing competencies in the event of a public health surge event related to disaster.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a 3-round Delphi approach, public health nurses (PHNs) and directors of nursing from local health departments, state nursing leaders, and national nursing preparedness experts reviewed and commented on 49 draft competencies derived from existing documents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final 25 competencies were categorized into Preparedness (n=9), Response (n=8), and Recovery (n=7). The Preparedness competencies focus on personal preparedness; comprehending disaster preparedness terms, concepts, and roles; becoming familiar with the health department's disaster plan, communication equipment suitable for disaster situations; and the role of the PHN in a surge event. Conducting a rapid needs assessment, outbreak investigation and surveillance, public health triage, risk communication, and technical skills such as mass dispensing are Response phase competencies. Recovery competencies include participating in the debriefing process, contributing to disaster plan modifications, and coordinating efforts to address the psychosocial and public health impact of the event.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of competencies for surge events that are specific to public health nursing is critical to assure that PHNs are able to respond to these events in an effective and efficient manner.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, Ohio, USA. polivka.1@osu.edu
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Polivka
authors.forename: Sharon A R
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taulbee
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kieffer
authors.forename: Sheryl M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McCorkle
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control; D003142:Communication; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009820:Ohio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014218:Triage