No abstract

The rapid increase in the number of homeless children and families has focused attention on understanding the health and related needs of this vulnerable group. This paper describes challenges associated with providing health care to homeless children and evaluation of those services. Data are presented from the Nursing Center for the Homeless of the School of Nursing at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Health services provided to homeless children and families (N = 470) documented that more than half (56%) were covered by health insurance and had received age-appropriate preventive health care. Of the children seen, 50% were considered well and 30% were diagnosed as having upper respiratory infections, skin problems, and/or gastrointestinal disorders. Health teaching for parents was the most frequent nursing intervention (50%), while 20% of the children were referred to community agencies. Factors that impede data collection and provision of health services for the homeless population are discussed, including suggestions for treatment and research approaches.

Service learning and community-campus partnerships foster the integration of educational goals and community need. The authors describe a school of nursing and a visiting nurse association partnership in which undergraduate and graduate students participated in an immunization campaign. Preparation, orientation, and evaluation of students based on special course objectives is presented.

In 2004, the School of Nursing at the University at Buffalo began a program in which individuals with a degree in another field could complete an intensive 12-month program leading to a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Curriculum design using courses from the basic baccalaureate and RN-to-BS program, as well as graduate courses, not only provided the opportunity to integrate accelerated bachelor of science (ABS) students with the other student populations but eliminated the need for the development of courses specific to the ABS program. A unique feature of the program is the incorporation of graduate courses, allowing students to earn 9 to 12 graduate credits. The potential for future nursing leaders has also increased, given the characteristics of these mature, highly motivated, career-minded students who have chosen nursing as a second career.