title: Organizational attributes that assure optimal utilization of public health nurses.
abstract: Optimal utilization of public health nurses (PHNs) is important for strengthening public health capacity and sustaining interest in public health nursing in the face of a global nursing shortage. To gain an insight into the organizational attributes that support PHNs to work effectively, 23 focus groups were held with PHNs, managers, and policymakers in diverse regions and urban and rural/remote settings across Canada. Participants identified attributes at all levels of the public health system: government and system-level action, local organizational culture of their employers, and supportive management practices. Effective leadership emerged as a strong message throughout all levels. Other organizational attributes included valuing and promoting public health nursing; having a shared vision, goals, and planning; building partnerships and collaboration; demonstrating flexibility and creativity; and supporting ongoing learning and knowledge sharing. The results of this study highlight opportunities for fostering organizational development and leadership in public health, influencing policies and programs to optimize public health nursing services and resources, and supporting PHNs to realize the full scope of their competencies.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meagher-Stewart
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Underwood
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schoenfeld
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blythe
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Knibbs
authors.forename: Val
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Munroe
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavoie-Tremblay
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ganann
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crea
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004526:Efficiency; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D017144:Focus Groups; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D007858:Learning; D015279:Organizational Culture; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011361:Professional Competence; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013192:Staff Development; D000078329:Workforce