A public health emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic magnifies the negative health consequences experienced by disparate and vulnerable populations. Consistent with most public health emergencies, distinct needs of vulnerable populations emerge that standard emergency resources are not able to fully meet thus resulting in greater health risk, poorer health outcomes and higher death rates.

The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity reports that 78% of nurses have little or no familiarity with emergency preparedness and disaster response. Nursing workforce data reveals that most nurses report the focus of their emergency preparedness education has been provided by their employer specific to their work.

WCN has identified that a nursing workforce better prepared to ensure public health initiatives are supported, vulnerable populations are identified, and individuals and families are offered strategies to reduce risk will contribute positively towards improving potential health outcomes and ensuring more equitable care is provided during a public health emergency.

In this two part online series, RNs will gain specialized knowledge needed to better respond to vulnerable populations during a public health emergency.

Part 1: Identifying Vulnerable Populations as an Essential Part of Community Preparedness (3.0 HR) 

Community safety and personal preparedness is vital to the overall preparedness of the United States yet vulnerable populations are often impacted by social determinants that limit their ability to respond and participate. This session discusses at risk populations most likely to be impacted by a public health emergency including African Americans, Hispanic/Latino, American Indians and older adults. Concepts of vulnerability and health equity will be examined within the context of nursing’s professional role and responsibilities.

Part 2: The Nurses’ Role in Responding to Public Health Emergencies in Your Community (3.0 HR)

Nurses who understand and are prepared to respond to public health emergencies can contribute to a strengthened community-based public health response. Although data indicates that most Nurses report receiving emergency preparedness training by their employers, nursing expertise is still needed by communities to ensure that public health initiatives are supported, vulnerable populations are identified and social determinants of health are addressed. Strategies nurses can offer to reduce risk and improve health outcomes for individuals and families will be discussed.

Nurses who complete this series will be able to:

1. Identify the impact of a public health emergency on vulnerable populations including African Americans, Hispanic/Latino, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and older adults.
2. Examine the concepts of vulnerability and health equity as it relates to health disparity.
3. Describe Nursing’s professional commitment and responsibility to care for at risk and vulnerable populations including recognition of my own unconscious bias.
4. Apply Social Determinants of health as a framework to identify and address the needs of vulnerable populations.
5. Identify ways registered nurses can support public health initiatives during a public health emergency.
6. Describe practice strategies registered nurses can use to reduce risk and improve potential for positive health outcomes for vulnerable populations during public health emergencies.

• All RNs seeking to contribute positively towards improving potential health outcomes and ensuring more equitable care is provided for all people.
• Registered Nurses responsible for discharge planning, care transitions, case management, care management, population health management and care coordination who are seeking a better understanding of the impact of social determinants on health outcomes for high need populations.
• RNs and Advanced Practice RNs working across all practice settings including acute care, primary care and long term services and supports (i.e. nursing home, assisted living, hospice, home health, etc.).
• Licensed RNs in all U.S. States and Territories.

This continuing nursing professional development activity was approved by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).  WNA CEAP Approval Number: WI CEAP-0261

Nursing contact hours must be completed by May 14, 2024. No certificates will be issued after this date.

Download the Continuing Education Approval Statement Here

Completion of the assignments, learning activities, quiz and Training Evaluation demonstrates successful completion of the Nurses Respond Now Priority Training Program and is required for 6 CE hours and the Verification of Completion to be awarded.

“This course was very rich in information and resources. There is tons of knowledge that I can share with my colleagues and incorporate into practice with our organization. It was a great learning experience!” 

“I found the course insightful and thought provoking.” 

“Even though I was really busy with patient care demands of COVID-19, I knew I needed this information for my practice. I was right! This Training provided me with a framework to think about my practice and care delivery to patients differently. Thank you!” 

“Thank you for developing this learning opportunity. The needs of vulnerable populations should not be ignored. Thank you for providing data and also strategies to move closer to equity in healthcare.”

“Thank you so much. This course is fantastic!” 

“This training really helps us increase our potential to focus on the important work of reducing health care disparities.”

“I will use the knowledge obtained from this training to address misinformation related to Covid-19 also better understand the health inequities I see in our patient population.”

“I’m incorporating the content into Nursing Orientation. Thank You!”

“This training is terrific and I can Implement the information into undergraduate nursing curriculum.”

“This training gave me direction on Identifying at risk patients and communities and connecting with them to provide resources and accurate information.”