Case Studies for PHN Residents and Preceptors

Public health case studies provide the preceptor and resident an opportunity to discuss key public health nursing issues and provide orientation to broader public health topics.

These case studies are designed to explore the professional practice of public health nursing by integrating PHN practice with the Quad Council PHN competencies.

Each case study has two versions: the preceptor version, and the resident version.

The preceptor version provides the suggested responses for each scenario. Ideally, the preceptor and the resident review the case studies together, which provides an opportunity for discussion and development of clinical judgment.

Looking for the case presentation outline?

Suggested: Month 6

Resident version: Child maltreatment (PDF)
Preceptor version: Child maltreatment (PDF)

Concepts covered: Legal responsibility of reporting, assessment, referral, safety, and completing a child protection report/process

Suggested: Month 5

Resident version: Culturally sensitive care (PDF)
Preceptor version: Culturally sensitive care (PDF)

Concepts covered: Cultural practices, communication, stereotyping vs. cultural awareness, awareness of personal culture, resources, evidence-based practice

Suggested: Month 5

Resident version: Culture, religion, and tuberculosis care (PDF)
Preceptor version: Culture, religion, and tuberculosis care (PDF)

Concepts covered: Knowledge of and organizational barriers to the accommodation of work, lifestyle, religious, or cultural factors that impact client care; directly observed therapy; medication non-adherence; mandated services; adapting nursing interventions to meet client needs

Suggested: Month 3

Resident version: Depression and parenting (PDF)
Preceptor version: Depression and parenting (PDF)

Concepts covered: Caring for clients with mental health concerns, communication, nonjudgmental care, safety planning, resources, referral

Suggested: Month 4

Resident version: Intimate partner violence (PDF)
Preceptor version: Intimate partner violence (PDF)

Concepts covered: Mandated reporting, assessment, vulnerable adult, referral resources, non-judgmental care, safety planning, trauma-informed care, evidence-based practice

Suggested: Month 7

Resident version: Outbreak investigation (PDF)
Preceptor version: Outbreak investigation (PDF)

Concepts covered: Epidemiology, outbreak investigation process, primary prevention, risk communication, incidence rates

Suggested: Month 8

Resident version: Trauma-informed care (PDF)
Preceptor version: Trauma-informed care (PDF)

Concepts covered: Professional boundary-setting, building trust with clients, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), evidence-based practice, components of trauma-informed care and establishing a trauma-informed approach, PHN resilience

Suggested: Month 7

Resident version: Vulnerable adults (PDF)
Preceptor version: Vulnerable adults (PDF)

Concepts covered: Elderly vulnerable adults (including reporting), resources, safety assessment, referral, financial support, and right of self-determination