HIV/AIDS case management: a learning experience for undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

Case management has received national and international recognition as a method for providing comprehensive, coordinated care to clients/families with various health problems, especially HIV/AIDS. With the increase in clients infected with the AIDS virus and the needs of such clients, community health nurses will likely become their case managers since they usually seek care from the public sector. Therefore, students receiving learning experiences in community health nursing will have contact with HIV/AIDS clients and their affected families. Nurses must monitor, coordinate, and manage the care of HIV/AIDS clients within community-based settings. Case management models have been used by community health nurses who provide care to HIV/AIDS clients. In fact, senior nursing students in community health nursing at the Coppin State College Helene Fuld School of Nursing were provided learning experiences with a community health nurse case manager who had a bachelor's degree. Students had to reassess their values, beliefs, and attitudes concerning caring for HIV/AIDS clients and their affected families. Additionally, students used the nursing process and the Levine Model to provide nursing care to clients. Baccalaureate Nursing Programs must provide students with learning experiences as case managers of HIV/AIDS clients/families.