title: Lessons Learned From Expansion of a Public Health Nursing Doctorate in Nursing Practice Program.
abstract: Despite nurses' demonstrated expertise in the public health workforce, there has been a continued erosion of public health nursing (PHN) positions in health departments and academe. The need for a strong public health infrastructure and well-educated public health workforce remains vital in meeting PHN research challenges. In response to these needs, our college of nursing undertook a six-year Health Resources and Services Administration-funded expansion of the PHN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This article illustrates program evaluation, lessons learned, and PHN DNP graduate and workforce outcomes related to supplying culturally diverse PHN leaders, assuring quality improvement, creating sustainable partnerships, and improving poor health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: About the Authors Nathan G. Tipton, PhD, was research coordinator at the Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, when this research was conducted. He is currently development and communications coordinator at Apelah Specialized Foster Care, a division of Meritan, Inc., Memphis. Patricia M. Speck, DNSC, APN, FNP-BC, FAAFS, FAAN, is associate professor and program director for global outreach at the Department of Family, Community, and Health Systems, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Trimika L. Bowdre, PhD, MPH, is DNP program coordinator at the College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis. Pamela D. Connor, PhD (retired), was professor at the Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee HealthScience Center, Memphis, when this research was conducted. For more information, contact Dr. Tipton at natenpaul@comcast.net.
authors.forename: Nathan G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Tipton
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Speck
authors.forename: Trimika L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Bowdre
authors.forename: Pamela D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Connor
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011637:Public Health Nursing; D014495:Universities