Descriptive analysis of the implementation of the quad council public health nursing competencies in a rural state

The Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations adopted and disseminated the Quad Council Public Health Nursing Competencies in 2003 however little is known regarding the awareness and utilization of this document in rural work environments. This nonexperimental, descriptive study employed a cross-sectional survey to explore the familiarity and implementation of the Quad Council Public Health Nursing Competencies by public health nurses (PHNs) in a rural state. Invitations to participate in and disseminate an electronic survey were sent to Montana's 58 local health jurisdictions. Forty PHNs completed the survey; 47.5% (n=19) of the respondents were familiar with the document and 16.6% (n=6) were currently using the competencies. Efforts to promote the diffusion of the Quad Council Public Health Nursing Competencies should continue.