By Karethy Edwards, DrPH, APRN, FNP-BC, FAAN; Debra Hain, PhD, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FNKF; and Hope Shaw, PhD, RN, CNOR
Nursing is more than providing services; it is a way of thinking, knowing and living caring. Furthermore, nursing in practice and praxis needs to reflect cultural and social determinants of health and illness aimed at improving outcomes. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) defines a framework for education to prepare graduates to be “work ready.” That includes approaching healthcare clinical reasoning and judgement through a culturally competent lens to ensure nurses are working effectively within the patient’s cultural context and acknowledging the impact of economic and political conditions that produce health disparities. Nurses need to embrace an unbiased attitude to care for all persons regardless of race, creed, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age and culture. AACN’s vision for professional nursing education occurs within the spheres of disease prevention, promotion of health and well-being, chronic disease care, regenerative restorative care and hospice palliative supportive care.
With a growing demand for nurses, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing recognizes this as a call to action to serve the community, applying the spheres of practice into tangible outcomes for patients in underserved areas. This could not be possible without the support of partner organizations dedicated to expanding access to care to vulnerable populations. Building lifelong partnerships involves more than a single approach to healthcare. It requires a commitment to engaging local officials, organizations, faith-based groups and residents in discussions and initiatives to provide services to local communities. Our students and faculty regularly offer their services at health fairs and programs across south Florida including a partnership with the Diabetes Coalition of Palm Beach County to conduct diabetes risk assessments and blood pressure screenings in addition to kidney disease screenings in the Glades located in Palm Beach County. A Doctor of Nursing program student has engaged in dialogue with food banks to determine what is available for those living with chronic health conditions to establish ways to meet their needs. Hurricane Ian also galvanized nursing students to aid victims along the Gulf Coast with relief supplies, wellness checks and fundraising activities. The Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, an integral component of FAU College of Nursing, serves individuals with memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and their families through a comprehensive array of services and innovative programs onsite and virtually to reach those in need.
In West Palm Beach, the college’s nurse-led Florida Atlantic University Northwest Community Health Alliance (FAU/NCHA) Community Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center Look Alike, offers primary care and mental health services to low-income persons and families at two locations. A physician, psychiatrist, nurse practitioners and social workers provide caring-based, person-centered care directed by advanced practice nurses with other health care providers. The Community Health Center has partnerships with the Salvation Army, YWCA, Bridges Children’s services and the West Palm Beach Housing authority, and often partners with other organizations. In October, the clinic hosted a health fair with State Representative Jervonte Edmonds (District 88) and community groups to administer free COVID tests and vaccinations and healthcare checkups to local residents. This type of collaboration enables us to raise awareness of the sliding scale income-based and low-cost services available to residents and engage the broader community.
In short, our students, faculty and alumni are bringing their skills and knowledge to neighborhoods lacking affordable healthcare. The college received a $3.9 million grant from the Health Resources Services Administration for a nurse-led mobile health unit. In this project, the ultimate aim is to create healthier populations in rural and medically underserved populations through increased access to caring-based, culturally aligned, quality interprofessional health care. The project will prioritize mental health and reproductive health, family planning, teen pregnancy services and educate diverse Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing students in collaboration with community partners about the social determinants of health and prepare them to practice in complex rural and underserved communities. Dr. Beth King is the principal investigator and project director and Dr. Karethy Edwards is the director of clinical services.
Our local communities still demand and deserve better health outcomes. Understanding that the need is greater than ever, we pledge to act as compassionate and caring stewards of the nursing profession.
Dr. Karethy Edwards is Professor & Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, CEO FAU/NCHA Community Health Center.
Dr. Debra Hain is Professor (tenured) DNP Program Director, Graduate Co-Coordinator AGNP Concentration, Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
Dr. Hope Shaw is Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Davie Campus.
