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Tuesday, November 3, 2009: 10:15 AM
Learning Objective 1: To identify leadership attributes that support Public Health Nurses to practice effectively
Learning Objective 2: To identify the implications/outcomes of frontline managers’ practice on nursing in the public health sector
Effective public health leadership across all levels of the system is essential in optimizing Public Health Nurses’ (PHN) practice. Public health nursing is facing challenges in terms of workforce sustainability and capacity. With growing nursing shortages, it is imperative that public health workplaces are seen by potential recruits as attractive places to work. Also, as the largest group of practitioners within the Public Health workforce, the available PHN capacity must be effectively and efficiently utilized to enhance system and delivery outcomes. This qualitative research examined the organizational attributes that support PHNs to practice to the full scope of their competencies. Twenty-three focus groups were conducted in diverse Canadian regions and public health settings. The purpose of this research was to assist public health policy makers/managers to develop policies to enhance the effectiveness of PHN services. Focus group participants identified federal and provincial governments, local organizational culture of their employers, and supportive management practices as important to supporting PHN practice. This session will discuss the research findings relevant to leadership in the context of Public Health Services in Canada