OPPA: Public Health Nurse Consultants (PHNC) Updates 

Wisconsin Department of Health Services sent this bulletin at 09/28/2023 03:16 PM CDT
Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Division of Public Health Information Update

Public Health Nurse Resources and Updates  

This message is being sent to local public health officers, Tribal health directors, local public health nurses and key DPH staff.

The Office of Policy and Practice Alignment (OPPA) public health nurse consultant (PHNC) team is starting a network for local and Tribal health department (LTHD) public health nurses.  

A new networking meeting for LTHD public health nurses will begin on November 2, 2023 at 10 a.m. This will be a recurring meeting that will take place the first Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. The goal of the network is for public health nurses and those that supervise public health nurses to have opportunities to:

  • Communicate with each other about population health programming.
  • Discuss work roles and projects.
  • Identify content experts and topics of interest.
  • Share inquiries and knowledge specific to public health nursing.

Register for the recurring meeting

The OPPA PHNCs provide consultation and technical assistance to promote and maintain a strong public health system. This includes supporting a generalized public health nurse program as outlined in Wis. Stat § 250.06 and Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 140. In addition to the network, the PHNC team supports the following additional resources:

  • PHNC inbox  
    The PHNC team has a shared inbox for LTHD staff to send general, non-emergent public health nursing questions. The inbox is monitored Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. excluding State of Wisconsin recognized holidays. The PHNCs work within their scope of practice when responding to questions. Send your inquiries to the PHNC inbox at DHSPHNConsultant@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
  • PHNC webpage  
    Have you checked out the newly revamped PHNC webpage?  The updated webpage contains resources that will be helpful for new and veteran nurses all in one location. 
  • PHN specific listserv
    Sign up for the Public Health Nurse listserv to keep informed on upcoming trainings, program updates, and access to other topic areas. Unsure if you are already registered? Check by entering your email address in the listserv.  

The PHNC team looks forward to collaborating with LTHD public health nurses at the first networking meeting on November 2 at 10 a.m. Please share this message with other public health nurses and those that supervise public health nurses in your department.