| Learning Objective #1: Demonstrate ways in which nursing practice can influence and change community responses to domestic violence | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Evaluate the seriousness of abused women’s health care needs |
Domestic violence is a major health crisis, confronting women around the world. Abused women have considerable needs, particularly when they are forced to leave home due to an abusive partner. Often unaddressed, the health care needs of abused women are extremely serious, particularly when health insurance is nonexistent and financial resources are scarce. Through innovative and collaborative efforts, the author designed a free health clinic in a community shelter for abused women. In operation since 1998, the primary goal of the clinic is to meet the health care needs of abused women and their children. Data collected during the past four years demonstrates the serious health needs of shelter residents. Of these, the most critical is the costliness of residents’ replacement medications.
As an academician, the author emphasizes domestic violence awareness in her interdisciplinary women’s health course. Examples of students’ activities include volunteering for the children’s program, discussions with domestic violence advocates, and distribution of literature about domestic violence resources. Campus-wide, the students identified the Health Clinic as the primary beneficiary of the student-produced play, Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues.
Collaboration with shelter staff culminated in the development of immunization programs and short workshops that benefit residents and staff alike. Topics include effective stress management, minimizing upper respiratory infections, and dealing with common shelter problems such as pediculosis and athlete’s foot.
Most recently, through the convergence of practice and scholarly roles, the author was offered a leadership position in the newly formed Advisory Council, where strategies and policies for future directions of the shelter will be discerned.
Through these experiences, opportunities exist for leadership in nursing practice, community collaboration, student involvement, and policy making. Awareness of opportunities and a holistic approach to problem-solving are essential to dealing with one of society’s most serious issues.
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