Nurses Guide: Safety First for Underrepresented Youth

Safety Before Intervention:<br><span style="font-weight: 600; color: #D5E6EE;">Working With Underrepresented Youth in Community Health Nursing</span>

Ke'alohilani Robinson

BSN Student

Who Am I

<span style="font-weight: 700; color: #154D61;">BSN student</span> focused on pediatric & community health

Passionate about <span style="font-weight: 700; color: #154D61;">underserved youth populations</span>

Experience in <span style="font-weight: 700; color: #154D61;">youth advocacy</span> & community engagement

Presenter at <span style="font-weight: 700; color: #154D61;">UCLA–CDU CFAR & CHIPTS</span> Conferences

Recognized as an <span style="font-weight: 700; color: #EAA34B;">'Angel of Change'</span> by LA County

Opening Scenario

You are a nurse in a community clinic.

A 15-year-old avoids eye contact, gives one-word answers, and shrugs during assessment.

You complete your questions…

But did you actually understand your patient?

Purpose & Importance

Purpose

Understand challenges working with youth

Identify barriers to trust

Apply a safety-first approach

Why It Matters

Youth = vulnerable population

Disparities in mental & physical health

Nurses are often first point of contact

Underrepresented Youth

Key Populations

Youth Experiencing:

Examples:

Limited access to care

Systemic inequities

Increased health risks

LGBTQ+ Youth

Foster Youth

Racial/Ethnic Minorities

Low-Income Populations

The Reality in Practice

Distrust healthcare providers

Fear judgment or consequences

Have prior negative experiences

Feel a lack of control

The Problem With Standard Care

Task-focused and checklist-driven

Time-limited interactions

Reinforce power imbalance

Assume patients will be honest

Safety Before Intervention

Patients must feel safe to be honest

Incomplete Assessments

Ineffective Care

Why Safety Comes First

Psychological Safety

Concept

Non-judgmental communication

Active listening

Respectful tone

Nursing Application

Open-ended questions

Allow silence

Validate responses

Avoid interrupting

Accessibility

Concept

Health literacy

Cultural awareness

Developmental level

Nursing Application

Use simple language

Teach-back method

Adapt communication style

Affirmation

Concept

Respect identity

Validate experiences

Inclusive language

Nursing Application

Correct name/pronouns

Avoid dismissiveness

Support autonomy

Power Awareness

Concept

Nurse–patient power imbalance

Youth may feel controlled or judged

Nursing Application

Sit at eye level

Ask permission

Offer choices

Trauma-Informed Care

Assume trauma may be present

Avoid re-traumatization

Safety

Ensuring physical and emotional security for all individuals.

Trust

Building transparent and boundary-respecting relationships.

Empowerment

Validating strengths and encouraging personal agency.

Clinical Settings

School Nursing

Community Clinics

Public Health Outreach

Mental Health Environments

What Happens When<br><span style="color: #EAA34B;">We Get It Wrong</span>

Incomplete or inaccurate assessments

Missed diagnoses

Poor treatment adherence

Patients avoid care

Reinforced mistrust

Case Study

A teen presents with vague symptoms and avoids answering personal questions.

How can you create safety first?

What would you change in your approach?

Nursing Interventions

Essential Action Strategies

Build rapport before assessment

Use therapeutic communication

Normalize patient experiences

Prioritize trust over speed

Role of the Nurse

Advocate

Educator

Safe Space

Bridge to Resources

Closing & Key Takeaways

Safety

Trust

Honesty

Effective Care

Communication is a clinical skill

Youth-centered care improves outcomes

You can complete every step of an assessment correctly — and still miss your patient.

Ke'alohilani Robinson