Core Competencies for Public Health
Across all eight core competencies, my coursework, practicum, and capstone experiences provide clear documentation of advanced public health nursing practice. Each competency is supported by concrete assignments and applied experiences that demonstrate my ability to assess populations, plan and evaluate programs, communicate effectively, practice with cultural humility, engage communities, apply public health science, manage resources, and lead within complex systems.
Analysis & Assessment
Course
NUR 681 – Program Planning in Nursing Practice
My community health assessment directly demonstrates competency in analysis and assessment by systematically collecting, interpreting, and applying population-level data to identify priority health needs within the community. Using sources such as local epidemiologic data and state surveillance systems (e.g., Massachusetts Department of Public Health), I analyzed trends, disparities, and gaps in access to care particularly related to HIV rates and preventive services. This process included integrating quantitative data with community context to develop a comprehensive understanding of health determinants, at-risk populations, and service barriers. The findings from this assessment directly informed program planning demonstrating the ability to translate data into actionable public health strategies aligned with evidence-based practice and community needs.
Policy Development and Program Planning
Course:
NUR 520 – The US Health Care Delivery System
My white paper demonstrates competency in policy development and program planning by critically analyzing existing national and federal policies related to type 2 diabetes and translating that analysis into actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations. Through examination of initiatives such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program and federal legislative efforts, I identified gaps in access, coverage, and prevention strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations. Building on this analysis, I proposed comprehensive policy solutions including the development of a coordinated national diabetes policy office, expansion of insurance coverage, and improvements to food access programs that align with population health goals such as Healthy People 2030. This work reflects the ability to integrate epidemiologic evidence, health policy frameworks, and systems-level thinking to design strategic, scalable interventions that address both clinical and social determinants of health, demonstrating advanced competency in program planning and policy development
Communication
Courses:
NUR 511 – Translating Research Evidence for Advancing Nursing Practice
NUR 684 – Practicum in Global Public Health Nursing Practice
My work demonstrates strong competency in communication through the development and delivery of diverse, audience-tailored educational and professional materials across multiple formats. I effectively translated complex clinical and public health information into clear, accessible messaging, as seen in my DSMES research poster, which synthesizes epidemiologic data, research evidence, and clinical implications into a visually engaging and concise format for professional audiences. Additionally, I created patient-centered educational materials, such as a PrEP infographic that simplifies prevention options and key decision points into easy-to-understand language and visuals for community members with varying health literacy levels. My communication skills are further demonstrated through the development and facilitation of a comprehensive RN training presentation, where I clearly outlined clinical workflows, safety protocols, and role expectations to support effective program implementation within an interdisciplinary team. Across these examples, I consistently applied principles of health literacy, cultural sensitivity, and audience-specific messaging, demonstrating the ability to communicate complex public health concepts effectively to patients, providers, and stakeholders.
Cultural Competency
Course:
NUR 500 – Theoretical Foundations for Advancing Nursing Practice
My paper demonstrates competency in cultural competency through the application of theoretical frameworks and practical strategies to deliver culturally congruent care. In my paper on Leininger’s Culture Care Diversity and Universality Theory, I analyzed how cultural beliefs, values, and lived experiences directly influence health behaviors, treatment acceptance, and patient outcomes. I applied this theory to clinical practice by identifying real-world challenges, such as caring for culturally diverse populations in chronic disease management, and proposed actionable strategies including incorporating interpreter services, eliciting patient perspectives (emic views), and engaging in shared decision-making to align care with patient values. Additionally, I explored how cultural beliefs such as differing perceptions of medications and reliance on alternative therapies can impact adherence and emphasized the importance of culturally sensitive communication and care planning. This work reflects the ability to integrate transcultural nursing theory into practice, promote health equity, and design patient-centered interventions that respect and respond to diverse cultural needs, demonstrating advanced competency in cultural competency.
Community Dimensions of Practice
Course:
NUR 684 – Practicum in Global Public Health Nursing Practice
My practicum project demonstrates competency in Community Dimensions of Practice through the development and implementation of a nurse-led, clinic-based HIV prevention program designed to address population-level barriers to care. I contributed to improving access for individuals facing challenges with adherence, stigma, and healthcare engagement. The project incorporated systems-level collaboration across clinical, administrative, and pharmacy teams, and emphasized standardized workflows to promote equitable care delivery. Additionally, patient education strategies and barrier mitigation approaches were designed to reflect the lived experiences of the target population. This work reflects an understanding of the healthcare system as part of a broader community network and demonstrates the ability to design interventions that respond to both clinical and social determinants of health.
Basic Public Health Sciences
Course:
NUR 547 – Promoting the Health of Populations
This paper demonstrates competency in basic public health sciences through the integration of epidemiology, social determinants of health, and evidence-based intervention design to address population health needs. In my paper examining older adults with chronic conditions, I applied foundational public health concepts by analyzing disease prevalence, risk factors, and population trends, including the growing burden of chronic illness and its impact on aging populations. I further explored key social determinants of health such as health literacy, social isolation, and access to resources and their direct influence on health outcomes and self-management behaviors. Building on this analysis, I developed a nurse-led, community-based intervention grounded in public health principles, incorporating systematic data collection, validated assessment tools, and an evaluation plan to measure program effectiveness over time. This work reflects the ability to apply core public health sciences, including epidemiology, biostatistics, and behavioral science, to assess community health needs, design targeted interventions, and evaluate outcomes to improve population health.
Financial Planning and Management
Course:
NUR 681 – Program Planning in Nursing Practice
Developing a project budget demonstrates competency in financial planning and management through the development and application of a comprehensive budget and resource allocation strategy for the Yeztugo (lenacapavir) PrEP program. I analyzed both direct and indirect costs associated with program implementation, including medication procurement, staffing time, training, workflow integration, and administrative processes, while also considering reimbursement pathways and existing clinic operating budgets. By distinguishing between fixed, variable, and in-kind costs, I was able to assess financial feasibility and sustainability within a real-world outpatient setting. Additionally, I incorporated value-based care principles by evaluating the potential cost savings associated with HIV prevention compared to long-term treatment costs, supporting the program’s financial justification. This work reflects the ability to align clinical program design with financial realities, optimize resource utilization, and plan for sustainability, demonstrating advanced competency in financial planning and management within a public health and healthcare systems context.
Leadership and Systems Thinking
Course:
NUR 615 – Organizational Behavior and Leadership in Healthcare Organizations
My presentation demonstrates competency in leadership and systems thinking through the application of Lewin’s Change Theory to guide large-scale public health system transformation. In my presentation proposing statewide EHR integration for public health nurses, I systematically analyzed system-level challenges such as fragmented documentation, lack of interoperability, and delays in disease reporting, and connected these issues to broader impacts on health equity and population health outcomes. I applied the three phases of Lewin’s model unfreeze, change, and refreeze to develop a structured, actionable implementation plan that included stakeholder engagement, needs assessment, workflow redesign, and sustainability strategies. This work reflects the ability to lead complex organizational change, engage interdisciplinary stakeholders, and apply systems thinking to design scalable, sustainable solutions that improve public health infrastructure and outcomes.