The NIU School of Nursing is in the process of establishing a nursing center to serve the DeKalb County community. Although there are about 75 such centers across the nation, this particular nursing center promises to be unique.

Bette Chilton and Mary Uscian, both staffers of the School of Nursing, collaborated to establish the center. Chilton and Uscian are awaiting approval for funding from the federal government for the proposed clinic. Chilton said she is optimistic about the fate of her proposal.

“Agencies which disburse federal monies typically look for something unique,” Chilton said. “We feel that this center represents an interesting opportunity to try something new.”

What makes this particular establishment special is that it tests what is called a differentiated model, she said. In effect, this clinic will have on staff three different types of nurses.

Among them is an associate degree nurse, which essentially is a nurse with two years of college study. Also on staff would be nurses with bachelor of science degrees in nursing studies. Finally, the clinic would include nurses with master’s degrees.

“The purpose of having such a diverse staff would be to determine the most cost-effective means of operating a clinic,” Chilton said. For example, there might be times when it is not necessary to have an advanced degree nurse on staff and the work could be performed by another, less experienced nurse.

The clinic would allow the NIU School of Nursing to educate students of the program in the area of community health service. Candidates for master’s degrees in nursing studies also would be given the opportunity to do research based on records compiled at the clinic.

Chilton said the clinic’s care program would be broad-based, not only treating immediate ailments but also addressing preventative care. Preventive services include immunizations and well child care.

As an expansion of its health maintenance role, the clinic would have a well-rounded staff to serve whomever seeks its services. The clinic will have two nurse practitioners, a clinic staff nurse and a part-time nutritionist, all working under nursing protocol and in consultation with a doctoral consultant.

Additionally, there would be a part-time caseworker who would channel patients to appropriate public service agencies.

As a result of the clinic’s comprehensive focus, students from departments such as Allied Health or Human and Family Resources also would have access to clinical experience.

Chilton is quick to point out, however, that the primary directive of the clinic is to aid the community. Therefore, the clinic will function with and without students, in the process providing full-time, primary care to area residents.

Although the clinic would be located on the Kishwaukee Community College campus, it will be associated solely with NIU.

Chilton said such a rural location will allow the clinic to effectively service targeted sections of the population, notably the poor and uninsured.

The decision concerning the fate of the proposed clinic will be made public on or after May 1.

“We have worked hard on this project. Hopefully, we will receive the grants we need,” Chilton said.