Doctor of Nursing Practice-Led Family Planning Services at a Rural Health Department

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• A rural family planning program, funded by Title X, ceased operations in 2017 due to a shortage of nurse practitioners (NPs).
• The program's closure resulted in reduced access to essential reproductive health services, contributing to increased teen births and low-birth-weight infants in three Midwestern counties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)-led project aimed at re-establishing family planning services in a rural, underserved region.
• To highlight the role of advanced practice nurses in addressing healthcare access disparities.

Main Methods:

• A DNP-prepared NP spearheaded the initiative to reopen the family planning clinic in 2022.
• Key steps included securing funding, preparing clinic facilities, procuring necessary supplies, contracting a healthcare provider, and developing operational protocols and community outreach strategies.

Main Results:

• The family planning clinic successfully reopened in June 2023, offering comprehensive services and education.
• By Q3 2024, the clinic served 308 patients, with over 85% initiating contraception.
• The clinic conducted 289 STI tests, treated 31 positive cases, and performed 67 cervical cancer screenings.

Conclusions:

• The DNP-led initiative effectively restored family planning services, leading to immediate improvements in reproductive healthcare access.
• This model underscores the substantial impact of DNP-prepared NPs in leadership roles on rural health systems and population health.
• The project demonstrates the critical role of advanced nursing practice in enhancing healthcare delivery and addressing health disparities in underserved communities.