Put on your hiking boots and get ready for a whole new adventure with the new and completely online Public Health Nursing Surge Course, presented by the Ohio Center for Public Health Preparedness.

This course, which qualifies for nursing continuing education (CE) credits, consists of four online modules. Each module is based on objectives derived from the 25 Public Health Nursing (PHN) Competencies to be achieved for disaster capabilities. Each module is a stand-alone learning opportunity and can be completed as a separate unit, although completion of all four is suggested for a comprehensive understanding of the PHN role and practice in disaster.

Follow the trail to Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and upon completion of these courses, you will be able to:

• Describe aspects of public health nursing disaster preparedness and prevention
• Distinguish the role of the public health nurse in disaster surge from other practice partners
• Discuss appropriate public health nursing interventions during the response phases of disaster surge, and
• Identify the role of the public health nurse in the sustainment of recovery efforts after a disaster incident.

Completing all four modules can result in an award of up to 10 CE credits. There is a required post-test and evaluation form for each module and both must be completed in order to obtain the certificate for contact hours for the module. Each module contains references for all citations in the module and resources for further information on the topic.

The journey begins with Modules 1 and 2, which are available now. These modules are:

• Introduction to Disaster Surge for PHNs
• Preparedness for Disaster Surge for PHNs

Modules 3 and 4, which will be available soon, are:

• Response to Disaster Surge for PHNs
• Recovery from Disaster Surge for PHNs

For information and registration questions regarding the nursing surge course search OhioTrain for course ID# 1017244 or contact Heather Vilvens at hvilvens@cph.osu.edu or 614-292-2303.

*****

The Center for Public Health Practice is a part of The Ohio State University's College of Public Health. The center is home to federally funded public health programs, including the Center for Public Health Preparedness, Pennsylvania and Ohio Public Health Training Center and the Buckeye Bluegrass Regional Leadership Academy. The center provides training to hundreds of public health practitioners every year through in-person and online programs. It also offers contractual and fee-for-service support in the areas of organizational and leadership development.