Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Public Health Nursing Exam with a comprehensive quiz. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Ensure your success!

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Who is widely regarded as the first public health nurse in the United States?

Florence Nightingale
Lillian Wald
Mary Breckinridge
Clara Barton

The correct answer is: Lillian Wald

Lillian Wald is recognized as the first public health nurse in the United States due to her pioneering efforts in nursing and public health during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wald founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City in 1893, which served the needs of the community, including providing healthcare, education, and social services. As a public health nurse, she advocated for better living conditions, healthcare access, and social reforms, emphasizing the importance of community health. Wald's work laid the foundation for the field of public health nursing, highlighting the role of nurses in individual and community health. She also played a significant role in the establishment of the profession, contributing to the development of frameworks for public health practice, thereby influencing nursing education and public health policies. Her dedication to not only treating illness but also preventing it through community health initiatives marks her significant contributions to public health. This focus on prevention and health education set her apart and solidified her position in history as the first public health nurse in the United States.