Welcome to the Office of Public Health Nursing webpage.
Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities
Mission: To protect and promote the health of all people in Delaware
DPH nurses serve individuals, families, and communities statewide through home visits, in clinics, and in other community settings.
DPH nurses collaborate with: health and social services agencies, schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, clinics, primary care and specialty providers, and home care agencies, childcare centers, community centers, neighborhood organizations and nongovernmental agencies, as well as local, state, and federal agencies.
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- Child Development Watch (Birth to Three)
- Chronic Disease
- Communicable Disease
- Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery
- HIV Case Management
- Home Visiting (Pregnant/Young Families)
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisoning Prevention
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Consultation
- Nursing Recruitment
- Nursing Training
- Population Health – Health Equity
- School Nurse Partnership
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Tuberculosis Elimination
Child Development Watch (Birth to Three)
Nurses serve infants and toddlers, from birth to age three, with developmental delays and/or disabilities and their families.
Chronic Disease Prevention
For information on health promotion and chronic disease prevention (including population health and health equity work) done at the local level, contact:
The Chronic Disease Prevention Bureau, in the Division’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Section, manages programs to prevent and control the leading causes of death (nationally and) in Delaware – cardiovascular disease – including heart disease and stroke, cancer, lung disease, and diabetes.
The programs above work closely with the Bureau of Health Promotion, whose programs address the major risk factors for the leading causes of death and promote tobacco prevention and control, healthy lifestyles including physical activity, healthy nutrition, and healthy weight.
Communicable Disease
Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery
Nurses play a key role in protecting and preserving the health of our communities by planning and responding to critical incidents, epidemics, emergencies, and disasters.
- To learn more about DPH nursing response, contact the Office of Public Health Nursing.
- Visit this webpage to learn more about Public Health’s Office of Preparedness
HIV Case Management
Nurses collaborate to provide HIV consultation and case management services in all three counties.
Home Visiting (Pregnant/Young Families)
Nurses provide home visiting services to pregnant mothers and young families through our Smart Start program.
Immunizations
Nurses immunize children-newborn though age 18-in need of vaccinations and are uninsured or underinsured in clinics located in each county.
Lead Poisoning Prevention and Case Management
Nurses conduct lead screening (for children through age 18) including assessment of risk, blood screening and counseling regarding lead hazards.
- Follow this link for more information about lead testing.
- For information on lead poisoning prevention, follow this link.
- Information about Delaware Healthy Homes and lead paint.
Nursing Education
DPH provides “clinical opportunities” in home, clinic, and community settings to nursing students enrolled in collegiate nursing programs at all levels. We maintain formal collaborative agreements with all nursing programs within the state of Delaware, as well as several colleges and universities in bordering states and beyond. Faculty should contact the Nursing Director or Nurse Consultants at least 2-12 months in advance of the start of the semester.
Nursing Consultation
Nursing Recruitment
You can make a difference in the lives of Delawareans! Contribute your knowledge, skills and abilities toward protecting and promoting the health of Delaware’s families and communities in a range of Division of Public Health nursing positions. DPH nurses work in home visiting, clinic and/or community settings in one or more specialty area.
- Contact the Office of Public Health Nursing for more information.
- Interested in a career in public health nursing? Read “Benefits of Being a Public Health Nurse within the Delaware Division of Public Health”
- For information on positions currently available, visit the State of Delaware Employment link. All hiring processes are initiated online, register and complete your applicant profile today.
Nursing Training
Population Health – Health Equity
School Nurse Partnership
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Nurses provide family planning (FP) and sexually transmitted disease services for male and female clients in clinics located in each county.
Tuberculosis Elimination
DPH nurses and physician consultants in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties provide screening, treatment, and follow-up of positive Tuberculosis test results.
- For information about clinic sites.
- For further information about the DPH TB Elimination Program.
- Follow this link to contact the TB Nurse Consultant
