American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements, provision 1 states, “the nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems” "(About Code of Ethics," 2017). In order to provide quality care to the homeless population, the community health nurse is challenged to put aside her own preconceived opinions about drug addiction, alcohol abuse, mental illness and the assumed unwillingness to care for oneself. “While trying to help clients negotiate ‘the system’ the professionals may face a client’s noncompliance with medical regimes, drug abuse, and even stealing or selling medical resources” (Hunter, 1993, p. 139). Provision 3 of the ANA Code of Ethics affirms, “the nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety and rights …show more content…
According to the Federal Register, in 2014 the average cost to incarcerate a federal inmate for a year was $30,619.85 or $83.89 per day ("Annual determination of average cost of incarceration", 2015). In comparison, the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness performed a study in 2014 that concluded Florida residents pay $31,065 per chronically homeless person every year. Another Florida study of three counties found that providing the homeless with housing and supportive services was more cost effective in that taxpayers spent $10,051 per homeless person to give them a permanent place to live, supportive services and health care, while saving an estimated $350 million over the next decade (Keyes,