This is particularly ironic in light of the 2001 Washington anthrax attacks ("Communicating in the," 2007). For this reason, the training of the APN/CPL as first responders is critical, particularly in the areas of teamwork and communication in a crisis zone. The APN/CPL professional knows this from firsthand experience in working in triage or emergency situations as first responders. In 2003 in an article in the journal Public Health Nursing a bulwark in the preparedness for a bioterrorism attack (Mondy, Cardenas & Avila, 2003, 424). While this journal article urges the expansion of training of first responders, we have noted the declining funding levels. We have also noted the importance of making use of other funding and training in the areas of disease prevention and that funding programs in other sectors can do double duty in the preparation for a bioterrorism emergency. Referring back to the Public Health Nursing article, it points out that the bioterrorism training was building upon the existing strengths of the PHN professional...

Therefore, this professionalism and basic competence in our core nursing duties should help us maintain the high level of preparedness that we now have in Texas and hopefully expand upon it.
Conclusion

To sum up, it is difficult to absorb cuts in funding to public health nursing in any way. However, the economy being what it is, cuts have to be made. What will carry the day is the professionalism of the APN/CPL. If they are trained in their core public health responsibilities, this already contains a world of knowledge about disaster response. Good training and professionalism will hopefully continue to carry the day for us.

Works Cited

Communicating in the first hours bioterrorism agents. (2007, May 14). Retrieved from http://www.bt.cdc.gov/firsthours/bioterrorism.asp.

Texas scored seven out of ten key indicators for emergency health preparedness in new report. (2011). Retrieved from http://healthyamericans.org/reports/bioterror10/release.php?stateid=TX.