Public Health and the Nursing Role : Contemporary Principles and Practice

Public health and the nursing role: contemporary principles and practice is an essential resource which reflects the growing need for all nurses to maintain and improve health as well as treating illnesses. This book takes as its starting point that the aims of public health and health promotion are key components of the nursing role and daily nursing care. Writing in a clear and lively style, the authors provide both an academic and practical account of public health for all nursing practice.

Beginning with the question 'what is the public health agenda and why does it matter?' the book examines and critiques core policies, theories, and models in healthcare. The role of the nurse in improving health is explored in the context of the scope of nursing practice and working with patients and interprofessional colleagues. Key nursing skills of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care are outlined before the authors demonstrate how nurses can make important interventions on health issues such as mental health, obesity, sexual health, smoking, alcohol and long term conditions.

Written as a core undergraduate course book this text is key reading for all pre registration nursing students who need to understand what public health means to nursing and need the skills required for all nurses practicing in the 21st century. Students on post registration courses will find this to be a helpful introduction.

Online material
DT Current web links and regular updates.
DT RSS feeds from organisations such as the NMC, DOH, NICE, UK Public Health Institute and more.
DT Checklists for patient assessments and interviews.
DT Web links to existing health promotion interventions on key clinical topics, which have been developed elsewhere.
DT Podcasts (not yet firm).

Paul Linsley is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln. Paul is registered as a Clinical Specialist in Acute Psychiatry and is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. He teaches on research masters programmes as well as pre and post registration nurse training programmes. He has written on and has an interest in acute mental health and health informatics.


Roslyn Kane is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln. After working for some years as a nurse in women's health, she worked for ten years in the Department of Public Health and Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where she did her PhD. She has worked on many research projects, mainly around sexual and reproductive health, teenage pregnancy and service evaluation.


Sara Owen is Professor of Nursing and Dean of the Faculty of Health, Life and Social Sciences at the University of Lincoln. She has research interests in women and mental health, workforce issues, and evaluation of education and training.