Health Professions

What We Achieve (Our Outcomes)

NACU nurses strive to increase access to health care, decrease visits to the Emergency Departments, increase knowledge of health care, and foster healthy behaviors.

NACU increases access to healthcare in undeserved communities by providing health assessments through volunteer nurses and by making appropriate referrals to providers.  NACU is supported by two staff nurses and 23 volunteer nurses.  In 2009, over 1,000 underserved individuals had access to NACU nursing services.  The nurses at NACU provided 688 hours of service at the various outreach locations.  There were over 900 visits to the nurses by about 430 patients.  The nurses also made over 300 referrals to health care providers in the community.  In addition, the services of a health advocate were initiated at the City Heights Health Center.

NACU fosters healthy behaviors in underserved communities by offering immunization clinics.  In a joint effort with the Northern Kentucky Independent Health Department and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, NACU was able to administer both H1N1/Flu vaccines and Hepatitis B immunizations from the 2009-2011 seasons. 

NACU volunteers at the Women's Crisis Center hold monthly beading classes.  The beading sessions offer a therapeutic evening for residents, which allow them to contribute to a greater cause.  The jewelry made during the sessions is sold with a net profit of $300 per year, which goes toward enriching NACU services. 

NACU works to increase knowledge of healthcare in underserved communities by organizing several health related events.  Students from the NKU College of Health Professions have the opportunity to enrich their college experience by fulfilling assignments at one of the various NACU outreach locations.  NKU faculty and students work together to provide health fairs, foot clinics, and flu shot clinics at the outreach locations they support.  As a result of the faculty and student's work, NACU was able to serve roughly 100 health fair attendees at City Heights and over 60 attendees at Turfway in 2010.