Wisconsin Nurse - March 2021

March 2021 The Wisconsin Nurse Page 13
Wisconsin Center for Nursing
Wisconsin Nurses Respond Now Priority Training Project
Fact Sheet
Preparing Wisconsin Nurses to Address the Needs of
Vulnerable Populations in a Public Health Emergency
• WCN is focused on ensuring the current
nursing workforce is prepared to meet the
needs of Wisconsin’s populations.
• Currently the COVID-19 pandemic has
magnified the negative health consequences
experienced by disparate and vulnerable
populations: greater health risks, poorer health
outcomes and higher death rates.
• In Milwaukee County, communities of color
are at increased risk for experiencing serious
illness and death if they become infected with
coronavirus, as compared to Whites. Currently,
African Americans represent 73% of Milwaukee
County’s COVID related deaths.
• Current reports show that if infected with
coronavirus, 27% of African Americans, 20% of
Hispanic/Latino, and 34% of American Indian/
Alaska Natives are more likely to experience
serious illness.
• Higher rates of certain underlying health
conditions, increased challenges accessing
COVID-19 related testing and treatment, and
economic and social circumstances have
all been identified as social determinants
impacting overall health outcomes of
Wisconsin populations of color.
• WCN 2017 Work Force data shows 93.7%
of RNs and 90.4% LPNs in Wisconsin are
white therefore potentially limiting authentic
knowledge of these increased challenges and
social determinants of health that place their
patients of color at higher risk.
• As the largest professional workforce, nurses
not only live in Wisconsin communities where
their expertise may be needed but are present
in all health care settings that patients move
through thus placing them in prime positions to
contribute positively towards improving health
outcomes for all Wisconsinites.
• This project proposes to offer a priority training
project to provide relevant, high-quality
education for nurses about the disparities,
social determinants of health, and equity
concerns experienced by Wisconsin’s most
vulnerable populations
TRAINING DESCRIPTION
In this priority training series, RNs will gain
specialized knowledge needed to better respond
to vulnerable populations during a public health
emergency.
that most Nurses report receiving emergency
preparedness training by their employers, nursing
expertise is still needed by communities to ensure
that public health initiatives are supported, vulnerable
populations are identified and social determinants
of health are addressed. Strategies nurses can offer
to reduce risk and improve health outcomes for
individuals and families will be discussed.
PRACTICE OUTCOMES
Nurses who complete this series will be able to:
1. Identify the impact of COVID-19 as a public
health emergency on vulnerable populations
including African Americans, Hispanic/Latino,
American Indians and older adults.
2. Examine the concepts of vulnerability and
health equity as it relates to health disparity.
3. Describe Nursing’s professional commitment
and responsibility to care for at risk and
vulnerable populations including recognition of
my own unconscious bias.
4. Apply Social Determinants of health as a
framework to identify and address the needs of
vulnerable populations.
5. Identify ways registered nurses can support
public health initiatives during the COVID-19
public health emergency.
6. Describe practice strategies registered nurses
can use to reduce risk and improve potential
for positive health outcomes for vulnerable
populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ORGANIZATION OUTCOMES
Healthcare systems who enroll their nursing staff
will:
1. Be uniquely positioned to help meet the health
care needs of patients and the community
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Deploy registered nurses who have an
enhanced understanding of patient risks,
vulnerability and disparities, as well as social
determinants of health, and who can improve
overall Healthcare System response during a
public health emergency.
3. Be able to assure that their nursing staff
have increased knowledge and resources to
develop strategies and contribute to creative
solutions that can improve health outcomes for
vulnerable and at risk patients.
WHO SHOULD ENROLL
• All RNs seeking to contribute positively towards
improving potential health outcomes and
ensuring more equitable care is provided for all
Wisconsinites
• Registered Nurses responsible for discharge
planning, care transitions or care coordination
who are seeking a better understanding of
the impact of social determinants of health on
health outcomes for vulnerable populations
• RNs and Advanced Practice RNs working
across all practice settings including acute
care, primary care and long term services and
supports (i.e. nursing home, assisted living,
hospice, home health, etc.)
LEARNING OPTIONS: Independent Online Study
Webinar and Conference Format Dates TBD
Because of the emergent and prolonged effects
of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses must be able to
receive information easily and in a way that allows
for rapid translation of new knowledge back into
practice. To that end, WCN has sought collaboration
with the National RN Case Manager Training Center,
a Wisconsin based nurse led education organization
with experience in developing highly effective
education programs designed to support rapid
translation of new knowledge back into nursing
practice.
This six CE training series will be offered online
as an independent study module, in a webinar
format and twice as a face to face live conference.
All methods will include the National RNCM faculty,
eLearning platform, course metrics, materials and
practice resources.
CLASS DATES & TUITION
Tuition: $295.00/participant
A limited number of tuition scholarships for this
training series are provided by the Future of Nursing
Campaign for Action at the Center for Championing
Nursing in America 2020 Innovations Award.
Class Dates:
Feb 15 – March 15, 2021 Online independent study.
Deadline to Register Feb. 5.
April 4 – May 4, 2021 Online independent study.
Deadline to Register March 29.
For more information or to reserve your seat,
please contact, Kelly Kruse Nelles at (608) 437-6035 or
Kelly.kruse@nationalrncm.com.
This curriculum has been reviewed for accuracy,
authenticity, and unconscious bias regarding the needs,
perspectives, and current outcomes of vulnerable
populations by expert nurses within the field.
Part 1: Identifying Vulnerable Populations as an
Essential Part of Community Preparedness (3.0 HR)
Community safety and personal preparedness
is vital to the overall preparedness of the United
States yet vulnerable populations are often impacted
by social determinants that limit their ability to
respond and participate. This session discusses at risk
populations most likely to be impacted by a public
health emergency including African Americans,
Hispanic/Latino, American Indians and older adults.
Concepts of vulnerability and health equity will be
examined within the context of nursing’s professional
role and responsibilities.
Part 2: The Nurses’ Role in Responding to Public
Health Emergencies in Your Community (3.0 HR)
Wisconsin Nurses who understand and are
prepared to respond to public health emergencies
can provide valuable leadership to our communities
needing to plan and respond to a threat like
COVID-19. Although data collected from the
Wisconsin Workforce Development Survey indicates
NOW
HIRING
SCHOOL NURSES
For more information, please contact:
Susan M. Wollmer, Nursing Coordinator III
wollmesm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
To apply please visit
MPSMKE.com/jobs