Community Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which important contribution is associated with Lillian Wald and public health nursing?

1. Demonstrating the effectiveness of placing school nurses in public schools

2. Promoting the use of birth control

3. Convincing the Metropolitan Life Company that nurse intervention could reduce death rates

4. Providing rural "frontier nursing" to serve mountain families

The correct answer is: Demonstrating the effectiveness of placing school nurses in public schools

Lillian Wald is recognized for her pioneering efforts in establishing nursing as a critical part of public health, particularly through her work in advocating for the placement of school nurses in educational institutions. Her initiative was grounded in the belief that health services should be accessible to children in schools, which would not only address immediate health needs but also promote overall health education and awareness. The placement of school nurses helped to provide essential health services, including health screenings, immunizations, and health education, directly to students. This model highlighted the importance of preventive care and early intervention, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of public health outcomes in communities. Wald's work significantly influenced policies regarding child health and the role of nurses in schools, establishing a framework that many public health systems follow today. The other options, while important aspects of public health and nursing history, do not encapsulate the key contributions associated with Lillian Wald. Her advocacy for school nursing was one of the first major movements to integrate nursing into public education as a means of improving public health.