Public health nursing clinical student infant mortality initiative with Healthy Start

Background and Issues: Healthy Start in this southeastern state is challenged to complete Ages & Stages Questionnaire assessments on four month-old infants/parents. Nursing students developed a keen understanding about issues of infant mortality. Determined to conduct a senior project related to infant mortality, the group explored options internationally and nationally. Students attended the County Town Hall Meeting regarding the high infant mortality rate. This group of senior public health nursing students with an intense desire to make a difference in infant mortality came together to conduct nursing student-led home visits. Description: The service-learning project linked to Healthy People 2010 Objective 16-1 Reduce fetal and infant deaths. During home visits the following key areas are assessed: Communication/Language Skills; Gross Motor; Fine Motor; Problem Solving; and Personal/Social Skills. The evaluation is based on the ASQ score. The nursing students record the scores; make referrals to care coordinators for follow up when the infant is below expected developmental levels. The number of screenings and referrals completed by students will be included in the presentation. The student-led visits have added to the productivity of the Healthy Start unit. Lessons Learned: Students report that conducting independent home visits is unlike any other experience. Students hone assessment and therapeutic communication skills; the ability to share caring/compassion with clients in the role of the public health nurse. Recommendations: Second degree nursing students will move the project to the next level of sustainability. Having senior public health nursing students complete assessments is a win:win partnership in this community.