Formulating Healthcare Clinics for the Gay Community

Published

Hey there ARNP's! I was just wondering, as a nurse practitioner, does your scope of practice allow you to formulate various community sections of healthcare? As a nursing student in Seattle, I noticed there is so little gay health out there even out of state! Do you have any advice if I was interested in this area of practice, does it even exist or make sense to be interested in this or would it have to be more all encompassing? How would you go about starting a homosexual based ambulatory clinic as a nurse pracititioner? Is that even ethical to focus on a certain minority? Probably right? Well, let me know what you think of this.

Kevan.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not an ARNP so hope you don't mind my posting here.

I'm confused by your post. Why do you think there's a need for this? Are you thinking in terms of health/medical issues directly related to homosexuality? Or general medical issues?

Just curious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out right now :) However, at this point I feel that this area should be looked at in terms of STD treatment and counciling along with community resource referrals for gay youth. Like I said in my message before, it could be that someone interested in this demographic would be more wise to practice in a more general sense in the community in primary or secondary care, but that's why I was hoping for an ARNP advice on the matter. Hope that clears up my post.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OK, gotcha :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, becuse I forgot to specify any outcome what so ever and that probably would have affected the quality of the responses I got! Maybe one day I'll be a real and articulate nurse ahaha

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

This just boggles my mind. If someone started a "straight clinic"...omg...I can't even imagine the reprocussions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

To be honest, I think it might not be a bad idea to integrate a community health clinic with gay and lesbian community centers. Many of them offer mental health services, why not physical health as well? I know that in my old hometown (NYC) there was a GLBT directory to assist clients in finding gay friendly services. Sometimes it's just easier to relate within the community than possibly face discrimination, especially for those who are not necessarily "out" and not ready to be.

There are certain medical issues that directly affect the GLBT community and being available in a central location would benefit the population greatly.

divokevan... where are you in your education process?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are NPs who practice in community health centers that cater to mostly the gay, lesbian, and transgender popluation. I think it was driven by gay patients who wanted a comfortable tolerant healthcare environement. However..its mostly in urban areas. I think that even today..some GLBT patients would want to have a provider sensitive or aware of his or her needs re healthcare.

In Boston..where I live..there's the Fenway Community Health Ctr (where I happen to go for healhtcare) that caters to mostly GLBT patients. And they're growing..so there's obviously a niche for this type of healthcare.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.
This just boggles my mind. If someone started a "straight clinic"...omg...I can't even imagine the reprocussions.

:icon_roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's so great that there really is a niche for this kind of healthcare, I've known I couldn't just stop at my RN and I've always been really interested in community health and the whole aspect of reaching out to a population I identify with. I obviously feel there is a huge need for it. I am in my first quarter of nursing school and I'm 21. I know that there's much to learn but I like to map out possible goals for my career and reaching out to the gay community as a healthcare provider really gets me excited inside ( I know that's a wierd way to explain it). However, I also feel that my age is an asset in terms the age I would be when I graduate with whatever speciality I want. Thanks for the very appropriate eye roll face btw! LOL.

Kevan

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Kevan, best of luck to you in your education! Being young you will have a good opportunity to reach out to the younger population of GLBT. Don't forget the rest, though! All ages will need medical assistance. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I find it offensive that homosexuality be so closely related to STDs. If you want gay patients, be a good NP that asks and appreciated your gay patients. They will tell their friends, you can get your name on the GLMA lists/websites start asking for referals from local glbt physicians etc. Acting like the thing gay people need most is treatment for STDs will not get you very far with this population. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion