On April 6-12, 2020, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) will join with healthcare organizations across the United States to celebrate National Public Health Week, organized by the American Public Health Association (APHA). Participants will unite to start conversations and take positive steps towards improving the health of their neighbors and friends, contributing to the overall state of health of the country. The conference comes at a crucial time as public health has never been more important than during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
National Public Health Week offers a perfect opportunity to fulfill FNU’s commitment of participating in 2020’s International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife established by the World Health Organization (WHO). In recognizing the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, FNU joins the efforts to raise awareness of healthcare shortages in the U.S. and abroad; demonstrate the need for more nurses and nurse-midwives; educate the public of the value of nurses and nurse-midwives in their communities and advocate for access to quality healthcare for every individual.
Each day during National Public Health Week, the APHA will focus on a critical health topic and identify ways individuals can make a difference. Take a look at this year’s topics and click to learn more!
- Monday: Mental Health — advocate for and promote emotional well-being
- Tuesday: Maternal and Child Health — ensure the health of mothers and babies throughout the lifespan
- Wednesday: Violence Prevention — reduce personal and community violence to improve health
- Thursday: Environmental Health — help protect and maintain a healthy planet
- Friday: Education — advocate for quality education and schools
- Saturday: Healthy Housing — ensure access to affordable and safe housing
- Sunday: Economics — advocate for economic empowerment as the key to a healthy life
The shortage of psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) is one of the most prevalent gaps in the healthcare arena today. FNU faculty member Dr. Jess Calohan, DNP, PMHNP-BC, addresses this issue in this YouTube video, What is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner? FNU offers a graduate PMHNP specialty track that can be pursued full- or part-time while completing a Master of Science in Nursing or a Post-Graduate Certificate, with the additional option of transitioning to the companion DNP via a direct admission process.
FNU is offering two opportunities to earn free continuing education (CE) credits during National Public Health Week. To earn credit, watch each session and complete its post-evaluation. Monday’s theme of Mental Health ties into Dr. Calohan’s presentation, Evidence-Based Prescribing of Practices in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. On Tuesday, watch Maybe There is an “I” in TEAM: IPECS on the topic of Maternal and Child Health, presented by Dr. Audrey Perry, DNP, CNM, and Dr. Mark Woodland, MS, MD.
We hope you’ll join in working towards the collective goal of improving the health of our nation! To learn more about National Public Health Week, visit NPHW.org, and to read about all of FNU’s program offerings, visit Frontier.edu.