1. Professional Transformation: Public Health Nursing Education And RN To BSN Nursing Students Joanne Costello, PhD, RN and Carolyn Wood, PhD, RN Rhode Island College, School of Nursing Goals of Project  Explore the differences in perception of RN to BSN students in relation to public health nursing before and after completion of a public health nursing course.  Describe the learning experiences of RN to BSN students that impacted their perception of public health nursing.  Describe the reported effect of the course in public health nursing on professional learning outcomes for the RN to BSN students. Methodology A five question survey was mailed to 108 graduates (2004-2009) from to RN to BSN program at Rhode Island College, Providence, RI. Fifteen responses were returned. Question # 1 Did you have public/community health content in your entry level education? Of the 15 students who responded, 12 students had no previous public health/community health content in their entry level program. Question #2 What was your perception of public/community health nursing prior to taking the public/community health nursing course? Within the group reporting, five students were employed in community health agencies and had a fairly broad perspective on the role of the community health nurse. One student felt the focus would be on prevention while seven described the role of the community health nurse as working with clients with chronic illnesses and providing specific nursing treatments related to illness or surgery. Two had no reported perceptions prior to the course. Question # 3 What was your perception of public/community health following completion of the course?  Opened new doors of knowledge  Broader understanding of government services and resources  Better understanding of the legislative process  Greater exposure to different populations like the homeless  Recognized the importance of the community health nurse for advocacy and referral to resources  Identified the need to assess how the community can be best served by listening to the community members speak for themselves. Question #4 Describe specific learning experiences that impacted your perceptions?  Public Policy presentations by student groups  State House visits to legislators  Navigating the Health department  Clinical conferences with faculty  Health promotion activities for recreation and school programs  Viewing the autonomous role of the community health nurse Question #5 How have these learning experiences impacted your personal and professional growth?  Greater collaboration with community services  Continue to use online resources  Applied for grants  Took certification in school nursing  More confidant in practice  Able to handle presentations more effectively  Seeking advanced practice education in public/ community health  Assisting more with referrals  More knowledgeable about community resources  Volunteering for mass disaster team Conclusion Involvement in public health coursework offered the RN to BSN students a broader perspective on community resources, nursing roles in public/community health and the need for community assessment and support.