Reviewer: Suzan C Ulrich, Dr.PH, MSN, MN, RN, CNM, FACNM (Resurrection University)
Description: The Henry Street Consortium developed competencies for public health nursing that form the framework for educating baccalaureate-prepared nurses in public health. This book continues that work to provide a manual for public health nursing. This third edition has been revised, updated, and published in living color. The use of color captivates attention and vividly showcases the diagrams, tables, maps, and models related to public health nursing and enhances understanding. Chapters are organized according to the Entry Level Population-based Public Health Nursing Competencies, making it a comprehensive book for nursing students and novice public health nurses.
Purpose: This book effectively presents material on each competency with theory, evidence-based examples, and reflections that engage students in the mastery of these competencies.
Audience: The target audience includes student nurses as well as registered nurses new to public health. The use of case studies demonstrates how nursing knowledge and skills from acute care translate to public health nursing. This approach of building on current knowledge helps decrease the anxiety about the unfamiliarity of public health nursing. The authors from the Henry Street Consortium are well qualified and include academics and practice leaders in public health. This combination of extensive knowledge and practicality brings richness and clarity to this book.
Features: The addition of a global perspective, including the World Health Organization Sustainable Development Goals, enhances the book by placing public health in the U.S. into a global context. The authors weave history with contemporary theory and practice, enriching this book with important models that are visually attractive. Some of these models include the Public Health Intervention Wheel developed by the Minnesota Department of Health in 2001, the Epidemiological Triangle of the 21st Century developed by Merrill in 2017, the Community Partnership Model to Achieve Health Equity by Ramirez and colleagues 2008, and many more. These models assist students in shifting their thinking from the individual and family to the community and the many layers of public health systems. Chapters include a student's notebook that provides bullet points with a glossary of terms. Every chapter ends with key points and a reflective practice exercise that requires students to think deeply about the material and apply it. The book is comprehensive and provides a solid foundation for public health nursing.
Assessment: This is an outstanding book that fosters mastery of the public health nursing competencies. It incorporates the theories and evidence of best practice in public health nursing while engaging readers. It is the best in its class. The third edition is especially valuable because of the brilliant color and the updated addition of global health and public health system case studies.
