Nurses’ perceptions on the skills, knowledge, and attributes required to provide healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in Australia: A qualitative study
Jane Currie , Lucy McWilliams , Vijeta Venkataraman , Martha Paisi , Jill Shawe , Anna Thornton , Matthew Larkin , Joanne Taylor , Sandy Middleton
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
People experiencing homelessness have unmet healthcare needs often related to chronic health conditions and injury. Nurses are often the first and only point of contact for people experiencing homelessness accessing healthcare. However, education that prepares them to meet the needs of this vulnerable population is limited.
Aim
To qualitatively explore nurses’ perceptions on the skills, knowledge, and attributes required to provide healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in Australia that could underpin an educational pathway.
Design
Semi-structured interviews with registered nurses and nurse practitioners.
Methods
Participants of a national survey were invited to undertake an interview. Interview data were analysed thematically and reported here in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.
Findings
The registered nurses (n = 11) and nurse practitioners (n = 6) had varying levels of experience providing care for homeless Australians. Overarching themes that arose from the registered nurse and nurse practitioner participants included equitable access to care, knowledge around homelessness, contribution of nursing, and nurses’ role. However, nurse practitioners had a greater sense of agency and empowerment to enact care, while registered nurses perceived being underprepared and overwhelmed by the unmet needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that nursing practice holds opportunities to improve access and care provision for people experiencing homelessness. Capitalising on these opportunities requires that nurses are educationally prepared with the skills, knowledge, and attributes to meet the needs of this vulnerable population without necessarily becoming nurse practitioners. These findings will be used to underpin the development of an educational pathway for nurses to enhance their response to homeless populations.
期刊介绍：
Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research is the official journal of Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
The journal aims to reflect the broad interests of nurses and the nursing profession, and to challenge nurses on emerging areas of interest. It publishes research articles and scholarly discussion of nursing practice, policy and professional issues.
Papers published in the journal are peer reviewed by a double blind process using reviewers who meet high standards of academic and clinical expertise. Invited papers that contribute to nursing knowledge and debate are published at the discretion of the Editor.
The journal, online only from 2016, is available to members of ACN and also by separate subscription.
ACN believes that each and every nurse in Australia should have the opportunity to grow their career through quality education, and further our profession through representation. ACN is the voice of influence, providing the nursing expertise and experience required when government and key stakeholders are deciding the future of health.
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