Making connections: Linking generalist and specialist essentials in baccalaureate community/public health nursing education and practice

Nurse educators and potential employers of baccalaureate nursing graduates are challenged by the constant change in health care today. This change mandates competencies for professional nursing practice that preserves the relevant and useful skills and knowledge of the past, yet incorporates skills and knowledge for practice today and in the future. As in previous eras of health system change, identifying essential knowledge and competencies for baccalaureate graduates must begin by collaboration between nursing education and nursing service. This article reports the work of a task force of nurse educators whose charge was to revise The Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education for Entry Level Community/Public Health Nursing. An overview of their experience is presented with the aim of contributing to current best thinking between one nursing specialty organization and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.