A Toolkit for PHNs and Partners

The Role of Public Health Nurses in Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery

As the national voice for public health nurses, the Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN) recognizes that PHNs are an essential professional member of any interdisciplinary public health team. APHN has taken the lead in describing specific skills and competencies all public health nurses currently possess or can be trained to provide care to their communities before, during and after emergencies.

Referencing both the American Nurses Association (ANA) Public Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2022) the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities (CDC, 2018), the APHN EPR toolkit provides an overview of the critical role of PHNs in EPR, as well as best practice guidance to new and experienced PHNs, their supervisors, and emergency managers for staff planning, training, and deployment.