About half of Omaha’s homeless population is seen by VNA nurses, which is no simple task. At the beginning of each day, the nurses typically check in with shelter or program staff for updates and current priorities. They begin to see new clients and existing clients as they request services. When time permits they seek out clients to follow up and provide support. The nurses facilitate appointments and advocate for the clients with other community service providers frequently throughout the day.
Shelter Nursing
Pregnant and Homeless: VNA Provides Much-Needed Care
Victoria, a young mother from Arizona, moved to Lincoln with her husband to stay with family for awhile. Their living arrangements fell through due to circumstances outside of their control and they found themselves homeless — and Victoria was seven months pregnant.
Compassionate Care
VNA is the primary provider of nursing services in Omaha metro area homeless shelters. We ensure that homeless individuals and families have access to health care, social services, and community resources to meet their individual needs.
Those who are homeless have unique health challenges, which makes it all the more important that they are seen by a healthcare professional. Their physical and mental health are crucial to the future self-sufficiency.
Services provided by VNA nurses to help them on their journey to independent living include health screenings and assessments, treatments of illnesses and injuries, preventative healthcare, education on positive coping skills, chronic disease monitoring, nutritional assessments, prenatal and childbirth education, breastfeeding support, postpartum and infant assessments, and positive parenting education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do VNA nurses actually do in the homeless shelters each day?
What specific services do VNA nurses provide to homeless families?
VNA nurses provide these services, among others:
- Health assessments and screenings
- Early detection of illnesses and prompt treatment
- Preventative healthcare and teaching
- Education on positive coping skills
- First aid and injury care
- Chronic disease monitoring and education
- Nutritional assessments and education
- Prenatal, childbirth and breastfeeding education and support
- Post-partum and infant assessments
- Positive parenting education
- Referrals to primary care and community resources to meet individual needs
Help Those Who Have the Least
VNA is committed to a healthy, thriving community. Help us to continue to offer critical medical care to those who are most vulnerable and underserved.
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