CPHN Exam Content Outline: The 7 Domains and Their Weights

The bedrock concepts of public health and nursing science: epidemiological methods such as incidence and prevalence, evidence-based practice, public health frameworks like the social determinants of health and levels of prevention, systemic barriers to care, bias in data and in practice, and emergency response and recovery. About 23 questions, 8 competencies.

Communicating health information clearly to diverse audiences, working respectfully across cultures, addressing health literacy with plain language and visual aids, crisis communication with partners, and building trust with the communities a public health nurse serves. About 23 questions, 7 competencies.

Designing and carrying out public health programs and interventions: emergency preparedness priorities, using health data to plan programs that promote equity, health education, and co-creating health promotion activities with individuals, families, and communities. About 14 questions, 5 competencies.

The largest domain. Public health surveillance, population health indicators, community and individual needs assessment, health literacy assessment tools, hazard identification, and environmental health, all aimed at drawing sound conclusions from evidence. About 24 questions, 9 competencies.

Measuring whether programs work: policies and workflows for consistent services, continuous quality improvement, performance metrics, and evaluating and adapting interventions. About 11 questions, 4 competencies.

Understanding how policy shapes health, advocating for policies that improve access, using community data to inform policy, and building cross-sector partnerships with schools, businesses, and faith-based and community groups. About 12 questions, 5 competencies.

Strategic planning, building inclusive teams and managing conflict, aligning budgets and resources with priorities, cost-effective practice, and mentoring and developing staff. About 13 questions, 5 competencies.