UMass Launches State-wide Program to Support Local Public Health Nurses

Source: UMass News and Media

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), is launching a pioneering initiative to support local public health nurses and their health departments in each of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns, focusing on building a stronger and more responsive public health workforce to enhance health outcomes statewide.

The program, funded by the state with an initial $3.5 million over 28 months, addresses a critical need for training for some 300 public health nurses to address the diverse needs of local public health departments. 

UMass Nursing promoted the launch of the Public Health Nurse Consultant Program at the Massachusetts Health Officers Association (MHOA) Annual Conference, on Nov. 13-14, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. 

“This initiative marks a significant collaboration between UMass Amherst’s College of Nursing and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Local and Regional Health [OLRH],” said Ann Becker, Clinical Associate Professor and program leader at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. “By supporting our local public health nurses, we’re fostering a future of resilience, innovation and enhanced health outcomes across the commonwealth.”

The Public Health Nurse Consultant Program is designed to address the varying health challenges faced by communities across Massachusetts. “While some communities may prioritize substance use prevention, others may focus on supporting older populations in rural areas or improving maternal and child health services,” Becker explained.

Nurse consultants and nursing faculty will collaborate with local communities and the OLRH to develop curriculum and deliver training. A three-tiered curriculum will be designed to ensure that local public health nurses have the skills and resources needed to address both chronic and emerging health challenges. Tailored to the needs of each community, the curriculum will focus on health equity and best practices to empower nurses in reducing health disparities. 

Five experienced public health nurses will be hired as regional nurse consultants to provide critical clinical consultation and mentorship for both experienced and newly hired public health nurses. “This collaboration will help nurses navigate complex community health issues, which will strengthen public health statewide,” Becker said.

In collaboration with colleges and universities across Massachusetts, the program will support recruitment pathways to encourage more nursing professionals to enter and advance in public health. 

“This initiative is essential in building a sustainable pipeline of skilled nurses who are prepared to meet the needs of communities today and in the future,” Becker said. “Together, we are uniting education, practice and policy to equip our communities with the skills and resources needed to address current and emerging health challenges and to advance health equity across the commonwealth.”