Keywords

clinical experiences, Hispanic Senior Center, nurse-managed clinic, nursing students, patient advocacy

 

Authors

  1. Crowe, Mary Lind PhD, RN APHN-BC

Abstract

A nurse-managed advocacy clinic for vulnerable, low-income, non-English-speaking elderly Hispanic men and women was developed at a neighborhood community center as a clinical site for senior baccalaureate nursing students. In the clinic's 5 years of operation, nursing students and faculty provided health screenings and education as well as referrals to primary care providers, landlords, pharmacies, and social workers. In doing so, nursing students were introduced to the concept of patient advocacy in a real-world experiential clinical setting, providing an effective link between theoretical knowledge discussed in the classroom and professional nursing practice.