The renovation was made possible through a unique collaboration between SELHS who provided the physical space, HACC who provided the funds for materials and equipment, and Lancaster County Career and Technology Center students and faculty providing much of the labor.
"We're absolutely thrilled with the new location," said Julia Sensenig, MSN, RN, CRRN, community nursing instructor. "There are small cubicles that provide added privacy when the nursing students meet with patients. In addition, the space is larger, and we have a small kitchenette where we can prepare nutritious snacks for our patients, as well as show them how to prepare healthy foods."
The renovated nursing care center also features ample storage and areas to display patient educational information, brochures and pamphlets.
The center will hold an open house on Monday, November 27 from 3 to 7 p.m. Current patients and members of the community are invited to attend. HACC President Edna Baehre, Ph.D., as well as nursing faculty from the Lancaster Campus will be on hand for the event. Student nurses will man informational stations where they will discuss available services with community members.
"We have many, many resources for the patients, including a Spanish translator who is available whenever the center is open," explained Sensenig, adding that about one half of the center's patients require Spanish translation.
The nursing care center opened in the fall of 2004 after HACC faculty met with Jim Kelly, executive director of SELHS, and discovered there was a need for more patient education. Clinicians have limited time with patients and the nursing care center would provide a great opportunity to expand patient education.
Because the center is located within the clinic, patients have easy access to health education. The health professionals of the clinic refer patients to the nursing center. Appointments are scheduled during a time convenient for the patient.
Nursing students educate patients about things such as heart disease, diabetes, nutrition, smoking cessation, parenting and healthy lifestyles. Diabetes, for example, is a growing health care problem, and students can have an impact by teaching about prevention and treatment.
"We are starting to see positive changes in some patients' lifestyles [since they started coming to the center]," says Sensenig. "For example, a number of patients are losing weight and learning to control their blood sugars. We also are seeing more family involvement. Parents are bringing children. Children are telling parents and grandparents about the center. Providing a service that is free of charge to an underserved, uninsured population is proving to be very helpful."
In addition, Dr. Rhonda Maneval, director of nursing, explains that through their experiences students are developing cross cultural communication skills and an increased sensitivity to the health care needs of their community. Since inception, students have rated their experiences at the Nursing Care Center as one of the best clinical experiences provided in the program.