Mary E. Byrd, RN, CS, PhD¹, Joanne Costello, RN, CS, MS, MPH¹, Dorothy Petrarca, RN, MS¹, Carol R. Shelton, RN, PhD¹, Patricia A. Thomas, RN, PhD¹, and Carol A. Manning, MS². (1) Department of Nursing, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, 401-456-9764, MByrd@ric.edu, (2) Project Director, Senior Action in a Gay Envronment/Rhode Island, PO Box 603085, Providence, RI 02906

The social and health care environment of the United States is becoming increasingly diverse. In order to decrease disparities in health, future public/community health nurses must be prepared to participate in transforming health care to make it sensitive to the needs of diverse populations. Increasing cultural awareness and competency has been a major aspect of public health nursing education. However, gender differences, specifically, the health experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) population have not been traditional content. Learning activities designed to prepare to nurses to participate in expanding access to welcoming health care for LGBTQ population are described. Representatives from an intergenerational and culturally diverse organization, whose goals are to empower elder lesbians and gay men and promote greater understanding and positive images of men and lesbians’ aging, participate in classroom discussions with our students. Next, community leaders who are members of the population participate in a Nursing Department workshop designed to increase understandings of the health experiences of this population within our state. This coincides with College-wide diversity efforts to increase sensitivity to and understanding of gay and lesbian experiences. Clinical experiences in agencies serving Rhode Island’s diverse populations support the theoretical discussions. Through these learning activities, students gain greater awareness and understanding of LGBTQ experiences. Nursing competencies that expand access to welcoming and sensitive health care are enhanced. Meaningful connections among students, faculty, and members of this under-served population are also created.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will

• Appreciate the importance of preparing nurses to participate in expanding access to welcoming health care for the LGBTQ population.
• Describe learning experiences designed to promote student competencies that expand access to sensitive and welcoming health care for the LGBTQ population.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of these activities in expanding access to welcoming and sensitive health care for the LGBTQ population.

Keywords: Gay, Nursing Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.