Why you should read this article:

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To improve your knowledge of public health and the determinants of health

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To understand how practice learning can assist nursing students to engage with public health

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To familiarise yourself with the factors that contribute to an effective public health placement for nursing students

At the point of qualification, nursing students need to be prepared to work in local population health and be aware of the wider determinants of health. The Nursing and Midwifery Council standards of proficiency for registered nurses require them to understand and engage with public health, specifically health promotion and illness prevention. In 2019, representatives from Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group and Middlesex University London, alongside the Royal College of Nursing’s public health lead, developed a public health nursing student placement. To date, two child health nursing students in their final year have completed a placement with the public health team. This article examines their experience of the placement, as well as detailing an evaluation of the project.