Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX4015 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment: A Holistic Approach to Patient-Centered Care
Prof. Name
Date
NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 4 Caring for Special Populations Teaching Presentation
Hello everyone, and thank you for joining this session. This presentation focuses on delivering healthcare to special populations, with an emphasis on individuals experiencing homelessness. We will explore the unique challenges this population faces and the critical role nurses play in improving their health outcomes and overall quality of life.
Caring for Special Populations: Teaching Presentation
Individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability encounter a multitude of challenges, including limited access to healthcare, increased exposure to unsafe environments, and heightened stress (Glassman, 2024). On a single night in 2023, nearly 653,100 individuals in the United States were reported as experiencing homelessness (HUD, 2024). These individuals often live in shelters, vehicles, tents, or temporary arrangements with friends, and their daily lives involve navigating unpredictability, danger, and scarcity. Nurses play a pivotal role in bridging gaps in care and advocating for interventions that support health, safety, and dignity.
Introduction to the Special Population
Who are considered homeless or housing-insecure?
Homeless individuals lack a stable and safe place to live, often residing in shelters, on the streets, or in temporary accommodations. Housing-insecure people struggle with rent payments, overcrowding, or risk of eviction (Volunteers of America, n.d.). Both groups frequently live without access to essential resources like food, clean water, and healthcare, which negatively impacts their physical and mental health.
How does unstable housing affect health?
Unstable housing disrupts access to routine healthcare, medications, and adherence to treatment plans. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders—including depression and anxiety—are prevalent (SAMHSA, 2025). Factors like sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and constant stress exacerbate these conditions.
What role do nurses play in caring for this population?
Nurses must approach care with empathy, patience, and cultural sensitivity, recognizing the stigma and mistrust many homeless individuals experience in healthcare settings (Currie et al., 2023). Understanding socioeconomic determinants and the personal histories of these individuals enables nurses to deliver holistic care that addresses both medical and environmental needs.
Cultural Values and Beliefs
What are the key cultural considerations when caring for individuals experiencing homelessness?
Homeless populations are diverse in terms of ethnicity, language, religion, and life experiences. Many value privacy, independence, and self-reliance due to years of navigating survival in challenging circumstances. Past trauma and negative experiences with authorities, social services, and healthcare systems often shape how they engage with nurses (Šimon et al., 2024).
How can nurses show respect for cultural values?
Respect can be shown through small but meaningful actions: asking permission before physical contact, active listening, and honoring individual narratives. Spirituality may also be important, providing comfort or coping mechanisms. By acknowledging each person’s unique story, nurses foster trust, restore dignity, and improve health outcomes (Šimon et al., 2024).
Healthcare Disparities
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What healthcare challenges do homeless individuals face? | Many lack health insurance, transportation, or identification. Long clinic wait times and previous negative experiences create additional barriers, leading to delayed care. Chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and untreated infections are common. |
| How do these barriers affect health outcomes? | Delayed treatment exacerbates conditions, increases reliance on emergency departments, and contributes to higher rates of hospitalization for preventable conditions (Vohra et al., 2022). |
| Which health issues are prevalent in this population? | Asthma, diabetes, hypertension, HIV, substance use disorders, and untreated mental health conditions are frequent (SAMHSA, 2025; Vohra et al., 2022). |
| How do systemic issues impact care? | Standard healthcare models often fail to account for the realities of homelessness, such as lack of medication storage, inconsistent nutrition, or inability to attend appointments. This results in mistrust, poor follow-up, and lower engagement in preventive care. |
Strategies for Culturally Competent Nursing Care
How can nurses establish trust with homeless individuals?
Building trust requires a nonjudgmental, compassionate approach. Listening actively, speaking in simple language, and demonstrating patience can help individuals feel valued (Currie et al., 2023).
What flexible approaches improve care delivery?
Mobile clinics, walk-in hours, and healthcare provision at shelters or community centers accommodate individuals unable to attend traditional appointments. Trauma-informed care—including explaining procedures, obtaining consent, and providing choices—reduces the risk of retraumatization (Cochran et al., 2022).
How do interprofessional partnerships enhance care?
Collaborating with social workers, housing specialists, and mental health professionals addresses both medical and social determinants of health. Including peers with lived experience in care teams strengthens trust and demonstrates that recovery and stability are achievable (Currie et al., 2023).
Case Study
A nurse-managed outreach initiative in three Czech cities provided healthcare directly to homeless populations. Nurses delivered primary care onsite in shelters and congregating spaces, allowing access for individuals who had not seen a clinician for years (Currie et al., 2023). Key outcomes included:
- Increased trust and earlier engagement in care
- Reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations
- Collaborative care with housing and social services
- Compensation adjustments for physicians treating homeless patients, incentivizing comprehensive care
This program highlighted the efficacy of nurse-led, person-centered interventions in improving health equity and fostering dignity (Šimon et al., 2024).
Resources for Further Learning
| Organization | Services | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| National Alliance to End Homelessness (2025) | Policy updates, data, prevention strategies, webinars | 1518 K Street NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 638-1526; dessrow@naeh.org |
| Volunteers of America (n.d.) | Housing, healthcare, mental health and addiction support, outreach programs | 1660 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 341-5000; voa.org |
| HUD | Educational materials, funding programs, supportive housing models | hud.gov |
| SAMHSA (2025) | Behavioral health support, trauma-informed care, toolkits, grants | samhsa.gov |
Engaging with these resources allows nurses to expand knowledge, reduce stigma, and deliver equitable care tailored to the complex needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Conclusion
Caring for individuals experiencing homelessness requires empathy, cultural sensitivity, and flexible care models. Nurses can influence health outcomes by establishing trust, addressing both medical and social determinants, and collaborating with community resources. Nurse-led programs demonstrate that person-centered, interprofessional strategies can effectively reduce healthcare disparities and promote dignity. Continued learning, advocacy, and culturally competent care are essential to improving outcomes for this vulnerable population.
References
Cochran, A. L., McDonald, N. C., Prunkl, L., Brusher, E. V., Wang, J., Oluyede, L., & Wolfe, M. (2022). Transportation barriers to care among frequent health care users during the COVID pandemic. BMC Public Health, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14149-x
Currie, J., McWilliams, L., Paisi, M., Shawe, J., Thornton, A., Larkin, M., Taylor, J., & Middleton, S. (2023). Nurses’ perceptions of the skills, knowledge, and attributes required to optimize the scope of practice and improve access to care for people experiencing homelessness in Australia: A cross-sectional study. Collegian, 30(4), 586–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2023.02.002
Glassman, B. (2024, February 27). A demographic profile of the population experiencing homelessness. Census.gov; United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/02/living-in-shelters.html
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2025). Home. National Alliance to End Homelessness. https://endhomelessness.org/
Šimon, M., Latečková, B., & Potluka, O. (2024). Health and healthcare use of the homeless population: Evaluation study of joint social work and healthcare provision. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 161(104929), 104929–104929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104929
NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 4 Caring for Special Populations Teaching Presentation
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2025). Homelessness programs and resources. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/samhsa-announces-19m-supplemental-funding-strengthen-housing-capacity-homeless-people-serious-mental-illness.html
Vohra, N., Paudyal, V., & Price, M. J. (2022). Homelessness and the use of emergency departments as a source of healthcare: A systematic review. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-022-00435-3
Volunteers of America. (n.d.). Home page. Volunteers of America: National. https://www.voa.org/