Competencies

In December 2004, the North Carolina Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators (NCAPHNA) adopted the Quad Council Public Health Nursing Competencies as the framework for public health nursing professional development in North Carolina. The Quad Council Competencies are based on the Council on Linkages between Academia and Public Health Practice Core Competencies.

To see a complete list of the competencies, click the link below:

Quad Council Public Health Nursing Competencies

Using the Quad Council Competencies, the Committee on Practice and Education (COPE) of NCAPHNA outlined the following specific competencies in which all public health nurses (PHNs) should be at the "proficiency" level:

Domain #1: Analytic Assessment Skills

When working with individuals and families:

• Defines a problem
• Applies ethical principles to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information

Domain #3: Communication Skills

When working with individuals and families:

• Communicates effectively both in writing and orally, or in other ways
• Solicits input from individuals and organizations
• Advocates for public health programs and resources
• Leads and participates in groups to address specific issues

When working with populations/systems:

• Listens to others in an unbiased manner, respects points of view of others, and promotes the expression of diverse opinions and perspectives

Domain #4: Cultural Competency Skills

When working with individuals and families:

• Develops and adapts approaches to problems that take into account cultural differences

When working with populations/systems:

• Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences

Domain #6: Basic Public Health Sciences Skills

When working with both individuals and families and populations/systems:

• Develops a lifelong commitment to rigorous critical thinking