ABSTRACT
Specialty nursing certification programs, such as that administered by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (ABOHN), must be firmly based on current practice to maintain validity. To determine this, ABOHN performed its most recent job analysis and role delineation study between 1992 and 1994. A comprehensive survey tool was developed by ABOHN Board members, and administered to all 3,805 certified occupational health nurses in practice at the time of the study. With a final return rate of 42.7%, the results were believed to be representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to practice occupational health nursing in the United States at the proficient level of practice. The results of the study formed the basis for the ABOHN test blueprints and the creation of two credentials for occupational health nurses: the Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) and the Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist (COHN-S).
Subject(s)
Certification , Job Description , Occupational Health Nursing , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Health Nursing/education , Occupational Health Nursing/organization & administration , United StatesABSTRACT
1. Primary care delivery at the worksite is a feasible reality. It is most feasible, however, for those large employers already assuming financial responsibility for providing employee health care benefits. 2. Ethical and legal questions arise with the delivery of worksite primary care services: how best to safeguard personal health information; and how best to manage the potential malpractice liability risks in a client-provider relationship at the worksite. 3. Primary care at the worksite requires primary care providers (a nurse practitioner and/or a physician) with generalist preparation in adult or family practice, in addition to specialty expertise in occupational health and safety. 4. Occupational health and safety must be a priority at all times, with the key goal to prevent work related injury and illness through engineering, administrative, and personal protective controls.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration , Health Policy , Occupational Health Services/organization & administration , Primary Health Care/organization & administration , Adult , Health Priorities , Health Status , Humans , Internal-External ControlABSTRACT
This article provides an overview of the control of occupational and environmental exposures. Two case studies illustrate common questions that arise in the primary care setting, regardless of specialty practice. The focus of these case studies is to offer pragmatic recommendations on how best to prevent occupational and environmental illness and injury through use of a hierarchy of controls.
Subject(s)
Environmental Exposure , Nurse Practitioners , Primary Prevention , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Protective DevicesABSTRACT
Occupational health nursing is a community nursing specialty that will assume greater importance in a reformed health care system. Maintaining a safe and healthy workplace is an occupational health priority, the goal being to reduce work-related injury and illness. This article describes the complexities of this role.
