Urban outpost nursing: The nature of the nurses' work in the AIDS prevention street nurse program

The AIDS Prevention Street Nurse Program in Vancouver, Canada focuses on HI V and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) prevention within a context of ha rm reduction and health promotion targeted at marginalized, hard to reach, high-risk populations. As part of a large evaluation project that included interviews with street nurses, clients, and other service providers togethe r with document analysis, the nature of the street nurses' work and its fit within the provision of health care were described. The street nurses' wor k reflected the following themes: reaching the marginalized high-risk popul ations for HIV/STDs; building and maintaining trust, respect, and acceptanc e; doing HIV/AIDS and STD prevention, early detection, and treatment work; helping clients connect with and negotiate the health care system; and infl uencing the system and colleagues to be responsive. The findings and their implications for community health nursing practice are examined.