• SIM Name: Wisconsin Tecne Public Health Facility
• Location : UW-Oshkosh, Wisconsin Tecne (196, 192, 41)
  
• Sponsor: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, College of Nursing, Wi-TECNe grant
  

Public health carries out its mission through organized, interdisciplinary efforts that address the physical, mental and environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk for disease and injury. Its mission is achieved through the application of health promotion and disease prevention technologies and interventions designed to improve and enhance quality of life. Health promotion and disease prevention technologies encompass a broad array of functions and expertise, including three core public health functions:
• assessment and monitoring of the health of communities and populations at risk to identify health problems and priorities;
• formulating public policies, in collaboration with community and government leaders, designed to solve identified local and national health problems and priorities;
• assuring that all populations have access to appropriate and cost-effective care, including health promotion and disease prevention services, and evaluation of the effectiveness of that care

Rationale & Purpose

The purpose of this office and set of activities is to familiarize nursing students with the essential public health services and public health nursing interventions. Many nursing students and nurses are unfamiliar with public health nurses and what they do. As a specialty, public health has a shortage of qualified nurses. Overcoming this has been identified as a national initiative. Even when experiences in public health departments are available to students, not all students have opportunities for all activities this public health office will provide. Therefore, this experience will supplement, not replace actual clinical activities in real life. Nursing instructors may choose or omit specific Second Life activities based on their individual needs and situations.

Learning objectives

• Students will identify the essential services of public health
• Students will identify components of a disaster preparedness plan
• Students will identify appropriate public health nursing interventions in case summaries, including areas of nutrition, culture and social justice
• Students will conduct a sanitarian inspection of one SL coffeehouse, pub or restaurant
• Students will describe eligibility criteria and components of the WIC program

Setting

The public health office will be located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh on Wisconsin Tecne Island in Second Life. This office will be a building where the avatars of students, nurses, and faculty can conduct activities related to public health. Planned topics for activities are: sanitarian, communicable disease, social justice, WIC, disaster preparedness, education and research. Public health rooms and activities will be developed over time to educate the user on the Essential Public Health Services.

• Location (SLURL) (if sim): http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wisconsin%20Tecne/128/162/42
  
• Contact Information: AccelBSN Algoma
  
• Services Provided (information, support, meetings, resources, other):
  
• Target Audience: Nursing students; Health-care professionals
  
• Open to All or Closed (except to Members):
  
• Social Opportunities Available (y/n):
  
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