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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Marilyn Lotas, PhD, RN, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44124, (216) 368-5129, mjl25@case.edu and Deborah Aloshen, MEd, RN, Health Services/Nursing, Cleveland Municipal School District, 2510 Roanoke Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44109.

Background: Cleveland, Ohio is one of the poorest cities in the United States with over 50% of its children living under the poverty line (United States Census, 2000). The CMSD serves a population that is 88% minority. Diseases of poverty and lifestyle are increasing in school aged children and often left untreated due to a lack of resources. Previously, these problems were routinely identified and referred for treatment by the CMSD school nurses. However, the current economic downturn has left schools with fewer resources to cover growing health needs. In this environment, an ongoing partnership using a service learning model evolved between the CMSD and the Case School of Nursing to address the health needs of Cleveland's children. Service Objective for CMSD—Support school nurses in providing health services to children in the CMSD. Learning Objective for CWRU—Provide nursing students with experience in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate care to diverse populations. Methodology: Nursing students provide health education, health screening, tutoring and mentoring to CMSD students as part of the undergraduate community health curriculum for the first six semesters of their college program. In their senior year, nursing students participate in a capstone project which includes a 300 hour preceptorship with CMSD. Capstone projects build on the students' previous nursing experiences within CMSD. Example, student screening activities in 2004 revealed 30% of 7-9th graders screened were found pre-hypertensive or hypertensive. In 2005, based on these data, senior students implemented demonstration projects to reduce risk factors for hypertension. Results: 1) In the 2005-2006 academic year, 15,000 hours of nursing services will be provided to the CMSD. 2) Two demonstration projects to reduce risk factors for diabetes and hypertension have been implemented. 3) Health education modules were implemented for nutrition, asthma, dental care and general hygiene. 4) CMSD staff and students and Case nursing students and faculty all identified the experience as valuable. Lessons Learned: 1. The most valuable commodities in a partnership are communication and trust. 2. Partnerships evolve and change as the needs of the partners change. 3. All stakeholders must be at the table.

Learning Objectives: