Context, health, and cultural competence: nurse managed health care centers serving the community.

ABSTRACT

Millions of newly insured people from diverse backgrounds and vulnerable communities will seek additional healthcare with the passage of the Affordable Care Act. APNs working in federally qualified community-based health care centers will need to respond to the challenge of providing integrated health care services. APNs approach to practice will need to include principles that address social justice, cultural competence, quality assessments, and evaluative strategies to ensure effective delivery of care. Shifting patient population demographics and the need to strengthen APNs understanding of social-structural conditions that limit health and wellbeing will be discussed.