Public Health Nursing

Program Overview

Public Health Nursing programs focus on preparing students to provide healthcare services to communities and populations, with an emphasis on disease prevention, health promotion, and health education. Public health nurses work in various settings, including community health centers, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and public health departments.

Duration

The duration of a Public Health Nursing program is three years.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for school leavers into this programme shall be: Five (5) ‘0’ levels at credit level or better of the Zambian General Certificate of Education or its equivalent as follows: (i) Three (3) ‘0’ level compulsory subjects in (vii) English language (viii) Mathematics and (ix) Any science subject (j) Any two (2) subjects (k) Minimum entry age shall be 16 years (l) All candidates should pass both personal interviews and written test.

Curriculum

1. Public Health Core Courses: These courses provide a foundation in public health principles and practices, including: a) Epidemiology: Examining the distribution and determinants of health and disease within populations. b) Biostatistics: Learning basic statistical methods used in public health research and data analysis. c) Health Policy and Management: Addressing policies, regulations, and systems affecting public health services and healthcare delivery. d) Environmental Health: Examining the impact of environmental factors on population health. e) Global Health: Understanding health issues and interventions on a global scale. 2. Public Health Nursing Courses: These courses focus on the unique role of nurses in community health and public health practice, including: a) Community Assessment: Learning how to assess the health needs and resources of communities or populations. b) Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Developing skills in planning and implementing health promotion programs, disease prevention interventions, and health education initiatives. c) Population-Based Nursing Interventions: Exploring strategies and interventions aimed at improving the health of communities or specific populations. d) Social and Behavioral Sciences: Understanding the social, cultural, and behavioral factors that influence individual and community health. e) Organizational Leadership and Management: These courses cover leadership skills and management principles relevant to public health nursing, including program planning, evaluation, and quality improvement. 3. Clinical Practice: Public Health Nursing programs incorporate supervised clinical practice experiences in various community-based settings, such as public health departments, community health clinics, schools, and non-profit organizations. Students have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge, gain practical skills in community health assessment, program planning, and health promotion activities. Licensure Exam Preparation: Upon completing a Public Health Nursing program, graduates must pass the national licensure examination through the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia (NMCZ) to become a registered public health nurse. This exam assesses the competencies and knowledge required to provide safe and quality midwifery care.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of Public Health Nursing programs can pursue various career paths, including working in local or state health departments, community health centers, non-profit organizations, schools, occupational health settings, and international health agencies. Public health nurses may work as educators, program coordinators, community health advocates, or leaders in public health initiatives.

Continuing Education: Public health nursing is a dynamic field that requires ongoing learning and professional development. Public health nurses are encouraged to participate in continuing education programs, professional conferences, and workshops to stay updated with emerging public health issues, research, and best practices in community health.