Using data visualization to characterize whole‐person health of public health nurses

Abstract

ObjectiveTo characterize patterns in whole‐person health of public health nurses (PHNs).Design and SampleSurvey of a convenience sample of PHNs (n = 132) in 2022. PHNs self‐identified as female (96.2%), white (86.4%), between the ages 25–44 (54.5%) and 45–64 (40.2%), had bachelor's degrees (65.9%) and incomes of $50‐75,000 (30.3%) and $75‐100,000/year (29.5%).MeasurementsSimplified Omaha System Terms (SOST) within the MyStrengths+MyHealth assessment of whole‐person health (strengths, challenges, and needs) across Environmental, Psychosocial, Physiological, and Health‐related Behaviors domains.ResultsPHNs had more strengths than challenges; and more challenges than needs. Four patterns were discovered: (1) inverse relationship between strengths and challenges/needs; (2) Many strengths; (3) High needs in Income; (4) Fewest strengths in Sleeping, Emotions, Nutrition, and Exercise. PHNs with Income as a strength (n = 79) had more strengths (t = 5.570, p < .001); fewer challenges (t = ‐5.270, p < .001) and needs (t = ‐3.659, p < .001) compared to others (n = 53).ConclusionsPHNs had many strengths compared to previous research with other samples, despite concerning patterns of challenges and needs. Most PHN whole‐person health patterns aligned with previous literature. Further research is needed to validate and extend these findings toward improving PHN health.