Bridge Care Nurse-managed Clinics Fill the Gap in Health Care

Abstract

Nurse-managed health clinics (NMHCs) play a critical role in expanding access to health care for the low-income, uninsured, and underserved populations. In addition, they offer opportunities to educate future nurse practitioners, improve practice, and increase the primary care workforce. In this brief report, we describe an innovative Bridge Care model for a nurse-led clinic that is connected to an academic school of nursing. This model is unique in that it is not a permanent medical home model but rather bridges the gap between entry into the health care system and a permanent medical home. It unites the disciplines of nursing, psychology, social work, medicine, and nutrition to provide interprofessional education and health care in a sustainable nurse-managed health clinic model built on community partnerships. It is where national and local health policy meets the “real life” of individuals with limited resources. The Affordable Care Act improves access to primary care and offers nurses the opportunity to play a key role in transforming the health care system and improving patient care, and the Bridge Care clinic model is an innovative approach that improves access to quality primary care and prepares future nurse practitioners to be leaders in the health care system.