Role of Nursing in

Homelessness
Presentation by:
 Visionary
 Homelessness affects the health and well-being of individuals
(Padgett, 2020)
Problem Statement
 Lack of comprehensive healthcare and support services for
individuals experiencing homelessness, leading to significant
health disparities and unmet healthcare needs
Significance to Nursing Leaders
 Aligns with core nursing values of social justice, advocacy, and
equitable access to healthcare (Smith, 2019)
 Recognizes the susceptibility and distinct healthcare challenges
experienced by homeless people
 Opportunity to enhance health outcomes, minimize disparities,
and promote social inclusion
Overarching Measurable Aim
 Improve access to comprehensive healthcare services and
enhance health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness
Leadership Strengths
 Collaboration
 Emphasize the value of teamwork and diverse expertise to foster
collaborations among professionals
 Communication
 Strong written and verbal communication skills to efficiently
convey complex health policy concepts and engage stakeholders.
 Strategic Thinking
 Encourage critical thinking and strategic analysis of health policy
proposals to align with advocacy goals
Leadership Strengths (Conti….)

Interprofessional Collaboration Team

 Nursing Leaders
 Provide nursing expertise and advocate for a patient-centered perspective.
 Healthcare Providers
 Contribute clinical knowledge and insights from various healthcare disciplines
 Policy Analysts
 Offer a profound understanding of health policy proposals and their implications
 Researchers
 Offer evidence-based research and analysis.
 Legal Experts
 Ensure compliance with legal and ethical considerations
 Community Representatives
 Represent the voice of the homeless population and provide real-life insights
Leadership Strengths (Conti….)
Educating and Guiding Individuals and Groups
 Provide comprehensive programs to enhance understanding
of health policies and situational transitions
 Develop accessible materials, guidelines, decision-making
frameworks, and online platforms
 Establish mentorship programs, support groups, and
professional networks
 Foster open channels for updates, newsletters, town hall
meetings, and feedback opportunities
 Leverage collaborations with healthcare organizations,
community groups, and advocacy organizations
(Sulimani-Aidan, 2020)
Pending Legislation
Ways to Demonstrate Leadership at Institutional Level
 Engage in policy discussions within the organization and
advocate for policies aligned with the organization's mission
and values.
 Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to develop
and implement policies that promote patient safety, quality of
care, and positive outcomes.
 Serve on committees or task forces dedicated to policy
development and implementation
 No pending legislation
(Heinen et al., 2019)
Pending Legislation (Conti…)
Respectful Discourse
 Involves engaging in discussions while maintaining respect for opposing viewpoints (Heie,
2021)
Opposing Views
 Viewpoint A:
 Presents concerns about the economic implications of implementing certain health
policies
 Emphasizes the potential financial burden on businesses, taxpayers, or the healthcare
system
 Argues that alternative solutions or compromises could achieve the desired outcomes
without significant costs
 Viewpoint B:
 Highlights health policies' social and ethical aspects, emphasizing the importance of
equity and access to healthcare.
 Advocates for the potential positive impact on vulnerable populations, improved health
outcomes, and reduced health disparities.
 Argues that the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term financial considerations
Pending Legislation (Conti…)
How to Use Respectful Discourse to Address the Two Opposing Viewpoints
 Active listening: Listen attentively to understand concerns and values.
 Empathy and understanding: Demonstrate empathy and acknowledge the
validity of opposing viewpoints.
 Constructive dialogue: Foster open and respectful discussions supported
by evidence.
 Find common ground: Seek areas of agreement or shared goals for
compromise.
 Respectful language: Use respectful language, avoiding personal attacks.
 Consider impacts: Discuss potential positive and negative consequences
of policy decisions.
 Collaboration: Encourage working together towards a common goal
(Heie, 2021)
Influencing Others
Plan to Influence Policy Makers
 Identify relevant committees, boards, or task forces within the
institution and express interest in joining
 Research the advocacy topic and gather supporting evidence.
 Prepare concise presentations or position papers.
 Actively participate in meetings, voicing perspectives and
recommendations.
Information I would Share
 Statistics and Data
 Research Findings
 Real-Life Stories:
 Expert Testimony
Influencing Others (Conti…)
Organizations I would Join
 American Nurses Association (ANA)
 National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
 National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
Use Emotional Intelligence to Increase Influence
 Understand policymakers' perspectives to tailor messages to
their values.
 Use effective communication to conveying messages
respectfully and persuasively
 Find common ground in disagreements.
 Connect with policymakers on an emotional level
Change Theory
Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change
 Identifies five stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation,
preparation, action, and maintenance
 Understand where individuals, including policymakers, fall
within these stages to tailor education and strategies
 Address individuals’ unique needs at each stage to make the
change process more effective and sustainable.
 Providing information aligned with an individual’s stage of
change
 Present data, benefits and address barriers to support
policymakers in understanding and supporting change
(Merz & Steinherr, 2022)
References

 Heie, H. (2021). Let's Talk: Bridging Divisive Lines through Inclusive and Respectful Conversations. Wipf and
Stock Publishers.
 Heinen, M., van Oostveen, C., Peters, J., Vermeulen, H., & Huis, A. (2019). An integrative review of leadership
competencies and attributes in advanced nursing practice. Journal of advanced nursing, 75(11), 2378-2392.
 Lubbadeh, T. (2020). Emotional intelligence and leadership–the dark and bright sides. Modern Management
Review, XXV, 27, 39-50.
 Merz, M., & Steinherr, V. M. (2022). Process-based Guidance for Designing Behavior Change Support Systems:
Marrying the Persuasive Systems Design Model to the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior
Change. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 50(1), 13.
 Padgett, D. K. (2020). Homelessness, housing instability and mental health: making the connections. BJPsych
bulletin, 44(5), 197-201.
 Smith, M. A. (2019). The promotion of social justice in healthcare. Nursing made Incredibly Easy, 17(2), 26-32.
 Sulimani-Aidan, Y. (2020). Social networks during the transition to adulthood from the perspective of Israeli
care leavers and their social workers. Children and Youth Services Review, 115, 105075.