About the Community Registered Nurse Navigator Program
The University of Tennessee Knoxville’s College of Nursing received a $5.5 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Health in January of 2022 to charter the Community Registered Nurse Navigator project. The purpose of the Community Registered Nurse Navigator (CRNN) project is to improve vaccination rates, education, and outreach across the state of Tennessee. The project is in response to decreased immunization rates in pediatric patients in Tennessee from 2018-2021, which poses risks across our state and beyond. Tennessee’s adult immunization rates are also below the national averages. The project places registered nurse navigators across the state to provide county-level support to improve vaccination rates through education and outreach.
The Problem
Across the state of Tennessee, the immunization rates for 0- 24-month-olds have fallen from 2018-2021. Statewide, the compliance rates for the recommended full-series of immunizations dropped from 80.5% in 2018 to 74.8% in 2021. The percentage of Kindergarteners fully immunized has also decreased from 2018-2021. The decreased immunization rates of children in Tennessee is a population health concern across the state and beyond because of the possibility of increased prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases in our communities. This looming problem not only effects those that are not up to date on vaccines, but every person living in or visiting Tennessee now and in the future.
Community engagement can remedy this problem and make for a healthier Tennessee and strengthen our rural communities.
The Project
16 CRNNs are currently deployed throughout Tennessee, focusing on vulnerable and rural communities, but operating in all 95 Tennessee counties. They started working in counties ranked moderate-high on the CDC’s social vulnerability index (SVI) and those that have seen the most significant decrease in pediatric immunization rates. The CRNNs have been working with collaborative partners to develop sustainable interventions to improve immunization rates that are tailored to specific community needs. The CRNNs are assessing counties by distributing surveys, conducting interviews and focus groups, and participating in observation events. Based on the barriers and needs identified, the CRNNs are conducting a wide range of unique interventions to address local needs.