Public Health Nursing: What's in a Name?

Abstract

Background: Florence Nightingale spoke of “health nursing,”and Lillian Wald coined the term “public health nurse.” What we call the nurse who works in the community has changed over time. This change often confuses health care providers and consumers alike. In schools of nursing, for example, students take courses in public health nursing that are often labeled community health. As the public health nursing role evolved, so did the nomenclature, leading some to question, “what is a public health nurse?”. Purpose: This study examines the history of public health nursing by exploring the shift in roles as the names changed throughout the late 19th century until today. It also explores the changes in educational requirements to meet the expectations of this specialized nurses' role. Methodology: A historical review of the published public health nursing literature beginning in the late 19th and throughout the 20th century was completed examining the meanings behind the changing nomenclature of this specialized nurses' role. Findings: Whether public health nurses cared for the sick poor or those who could pay, whether they worked in voluntary visiting nurses' organizations or in municipal health departments; whether they were educated in postgraduate programs or in baccalaureate degree programs, these nurses provided both curative and preventive services in the community. Summary Concluding Statement: The ability to continue to work in public health, regardless of the term applied to their work, shows the resiliency of public health nursing. Gaining clarity in the evolving role of the public health nurse offers greater opportunity today to educate leaders in public health nursing. Consider the many iterations of this role over time and how public health nurses continue to work towards improving the health status of individuals, families, populations, and communities.