Abstract
The Kentucky Department for Public Health and the University of Kentucky College of Nursing entered into a collaborative partnership to provide an enhanced public health nursing experience for a select group of undergraduate students. The purpose of the project was to strengthen the public health nursing practices component of the baccalaureate nursing program in the College of Nursing at the University of Kentucky. The objectives of the project related to planning, implementing, and evaluating of this program in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services, State Health Department in Frankfort, Kentucky. The selected baccalaureate students were paired with a preceptor and a state, local, or district public health agency with an identified need in the student's area of interest. The students participated in a mentoring experience with a practicing public health nurse consultant. The experience afforded the students an opportunity to interact at both the practice and policy development levels. An ongoing partnership developed between the state health department, local health departments, and the college of nursing. This partnership led to ongoing practicum placements for students, beneficial for both the health departments and the college of nursing.