Orlando Nursing Students Provide Health Care for Homeless

I believe that it's so important to give back to the community and gain real-world clinical experience during your time in nursing school. That's why I'm so excited about our recent partnership with the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to provide a free health clinic available to more than 500 residents across the Coalition’s facilities.

This is a win-win for residents and our students.

This commitment assures Coalition residents can get the care they need without having to worry about the cost. It’s also a fantastic way for students to practice their assessment skills and improve their therapeutic communication. Our services include pediatric care, basic first aid, health education, consultation and if needed, referrals to emergency care services.

Our students and faculty will serve two days per week at the Men’s Service Center and an additional day per week at The Center for Women and Families (CWF). I'm excited to say we will be doubling our time at the CWF at the beginning of the New Year, and we’ll even have a dedicated RN that will begin working at the Coalition full time.

The best part of all is knowing that we’re helping people in our community get through tough times.

Two of our students told me that they enjoyed when people come in just to talk. They want to share what is going well for them – if they’re making progress in school or toward securing a job or a home. “It’s so nice to be able to make a difference,” they said. 

Pat Edwards, MN, EdD, RN, has served as the Dean of Nursing at Herzing University's Orlando Campus for almost a decade. Her area of clinical specialty is in obstetrics and newborn care. Her favorite hobbies include seeing her students succeed and spending time with her 4.5 pound Yorkie, Miss Savannah.