Developing Future Public Health Nurses Through Academic-Practice Linkage s: A Literature Review

Abstract

Public health nursing, the initial specialty within nursing, is now facing uncertainty of its future. Public health nurses and educational programs have decreased over the years creating a drastic shortage. As public health nurses retire or change specialties, there are a lack of appropriately educated public health nurses and lack of nurses wanting to practice in the population health setting. Several organizations have identified a well-educated public health workface is needed to meet the growing health concerns of the nation. Nursing curriculum needs to make a change to produce a greater number of high-quality public health nurses.