Public Health Privatization

[NevRN]

I am the president of a Nursing Association for nurses who work for a Health Department in medium sized city in a western state. We have recently been disconcerted to find that our DON and management team are working toward privatizing many of the services that have been provided by Public Health Nurses at this health department. Is there anyone out there who has gone through this transition that could give me some insight as to the benefits to the population you serve, or conversely, the down side of such a conversion.

We, of course, are in fear of loss of jobs for not only the nurses currently employed, but also for nurses who would fill positions as they are vacated. Currently there are plans to replace two public health nurses with three HSSS (Human Support Services Specialists) when the nurses currently in these positions leave sometime this summer.

I would appreciate hearing ANYTHING on this topic that would be of help.

Thanks!