Civic engagement: School-based health centers and public health nursing

Objectives To understand how the events of the 1996 formation of a school-based health center (SBHC) both illustrate the concept of civic engagement and embody historic aspects of public health nursing practice. Design Case study design. Sample Interviews, documents, epidemiologic records, and field observations. Results The three themes discovered were collaboration to achieve public good, equity and social justice, creation of a long-term partnership, and demonstration of leadership using grassroots advocacy. Conclusion The SBHC case serves as a contemporary example of public health nurses' leadership in the current practice arena. The experience of nurse leadership evokes the historic mission and practice of public health nursing.