Applied epidemiology for public health and community-based nurses

As concerns mount surrounding exposure to environmental hazards and other public health threats, skills in surveillance and outbreak investigation are becoming critical competencies for public health and community-based nurses. This article describes a continuing education course designed in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders to address the need for epidemiological skills for rural nurses working in community-based settings. This project was funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration's Public Health Nursing Continuing Education program and was offered in both in-person and online formats. Topics, including applying epidemiological techniques to plan, implement, and evaluate public health programs, were taught using case studies and an array of online resources. Evaluation measures reflected improved understanding of epidemiological methods, a high level of satisfaction with the course and faculty, and strategies for applying these skills in professional nursing practice.