Office of Nursing

Accomplishments and Challenges
2003-2008

Challenges

  • In 2007, all 18 Public Health Districts and the State Office reported nursing turnover and vacancy rates in the double digits. A new survey of recruitment and retention practices is being developed to identify barriers and promising practices that will be used to construct new plans, including ways to employ retired nurses and specific strategies customized to the unique needs of a multi-generation workforce.
  • In 2007, 54.2% of the PHNs were baccalaureate prepared. The District Nursing Leaders have approved a resolution of the Practice and Education Workgroup to study the feasibility of requiring a baccalaureate degree for employment as a Public Health Nurse in Georgia.
  • In 2008, we do not have enough volunteer nurses registered in GNAS to respond to any major disaster. Plans are underway to aggressively recruit more nurses.
  • Getting community buy-in for Pandemic Influenza planning is difficult, given the nature of a pandemic (don’t know when, how severe it will be, grasping the socioeconomic effects, planning on a massive scale,etc.), and the fact that not all community leaders and EP personnel believe that a pandemic is actually on the horizon.
  • Planning for special needs sheltering continues to be an issue. Local, regional and statewide plans for sheltering those with special needs have not been developed in each area of the state. Nursing serves on the new task force that is examining the feasibility of having a central or several regional special needs shelters, and securing appropriately trained staff for the shelters.
  • In 2006, engaged the Districts and partners in identifying 5 critical EP Competencies. A task list was developed which is to form the basis of an EP curriculum for public health nurses. We have yet to go forward with this project due to the workload of the ACN-EP position. There is a need for an assistant position.

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