NURSE EDUCATORS PARTNERING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACHNE ANNUAL INSTITUTE JUNE 7-9, 2012 Dr. Pamela Ark and Dr. Ruby Dunlap Tennessee State University & Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee
Objectives Describe the partnership of nurse educators from two different institutions with community members as key leaders in the effort. Identify the use of service-learning to promote meaningful interactions with community members. Describe effective strategies to support ongoing community initiatives.
NEPCHi: The Beginning Representatives from schools of nursing, the Metropolitan Nashville/Davidson County Health Department, Ag Extension Center, community leaders, and an alliance between Vanderbilt and Meharry medical schools began to meet in late 2002 The purpose was to explore opportunities for collaboration with a focus on a specific underserved neighborhood Edgehill was selected as the Nashville neighborhood of focus Partnership with O.N.E. [Organized Neighbors of Edgehill] The group formally named itself NEPCHi in 2003
NEPCHi: Pam and Ruby begin to partner NEPCHI: Nursing Education Programs for Community Health Improvement Association of Community Health Nursing Educators/Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing Joint Meeting, June, 2004, Minneapolis, MN, Podium Paper Presentation.And here we are again in 2012!
Characteristics of Vulnerability Population nearly 6,000 residents 76% single-parent families compared to 37% for Nashville as a whole 16% older than age 60 nearly 79% Black 32% poverty rate compared to 13% for Nashville as a whole Sources: Population & Household & Metro Police Dept (2009) Edgehill Family Resource Center (2008) Area with one of the higher crime rates in Nashville The neighborhood has several convenience stores selling alcohol and tobacco products but no grocery store or pharmacy a food & prescription desert
NEPCHi Activities Overview Group continued to meet 4-6 times a year Rotating chairs and minute recorder Added and dropped membership over the years Small core group continued to be active in Edgehill Direct and spin-off effects
NEPCHi Activities Overview
Variables Affecting Campus and Community Partnerships Facilitators Barriers Committed leadership Stable grassroots relationships Regularly scheduled meetings Diversity and number of academic and community organizations Ability of schools of nursing to work together Academic calendar Changing student cohorts Referral mechanism and shared paperwork Source: Article published in JNE (January, 2011, p. 46)
Source: Article in JNE (January, 2011, p. 46) Examples of NEPCHi Outcomes Outcomes Health care access Social support Primary Prevention Secondary Prevention Action Nursing students review medications; help access to fill prescriptions and make appointments with healthcare providers. Nursing students hold seasonal flu clinics/ depression screening Neighborhood youth guided by professional nurses and nursing students interact with older adults
2010-2012 TSU & Belmont students screen together! Putting Service- Learning in to action! TSU nursing students clinical six hours weekly in fall semester..apartment home visits for safety/ environmental assessment; medication support; end of life support; 2012 Poster Presentation at Southern Gerontological Society Annual Meeting Active Belmont School of Pharmacy presence Vanderbilt Nursing Professors collaborated to conduct focus groups on medication access
Health Department Award Presented to Ms. Brenda Morrow April 2012
2012 and Beyond NEPCHi is sustainable Link to neighborhood strategic planning related to health of residents across the lifespan Expand opportunities to collaborate with other health disciplines: physical therapy/occupational therapy/social work