Population Health: A New Essential in Nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Community Health

Background:

• Nursing education adapts to evolving US healthcare.
• Renewed focus on population health, community involvement, and social determinants of health.

Purpose of the Study:

• Define population health for undergraduate nursing curricula.
• Identify essential topics, teaching strategies, and competencies for new nurses.
• Enhance population health implementation to improve health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods design utilizing surveys and interviews.
• Data collected from public/community health faculty nationwide.

Main Results:

• Numerous population health topics proposed for nursing curriculum.
• Identified a significant lack of a structured framework and consistent concepts.

Conclusions:

• Survey and interview findings provide a basis for curriculum development.
• Recommendations assist in integrating population health concepts throughout nursing education.