Alfreda Lawson McDaniel
These pages are but the tip of the iceberg, which frames the memoirs of this 40-year career veteran Registered Nurse. As she reflects upon her extremely colorful and many times painful excerpts from her career, the ray of sunlight which continues to reassure and console her of its worthiness is her embankment upon the annals of history in the establishment, design and implementation The Nurse’s Clinic.
In 1982, Alfreda Lawson McDaniel wrote a page in history when she independently but not intentionally defied the rules of nursing, to become the first nurse practitioner in the history of Nursing to open her doors to the public for the sake of humanity. Alfreda became the first sole proprietor of the first health maintenance organization designed, developed and implemented specifically for the health and well being of the senior citizens of San Antonio Texas.
It was her experiences as a Registered Nurse that prevailed upon her conscience to do something about the injustices she had witnessed so early in her career.
Are leadership abilities inherent, or are they molded by the sands of time? This question will be answered in her memoirs.
The author asserts that if we can maintain the health of seniors efficiently and effectively outside of the hospitals, their longevity and quality of life would be greatly enhanced. The probability of exposure to Nosecomial infections would be minimized. Furthermore, if we could protect them from unscrupulous physicians, who compel them to take off label and dangerous drugs, that are sold to them at a cost 10 to 20 time greater than their worth; when there are more suitable and less expensive drugs approved by FDA already on the market, which display fewer side effects, then seniors would be safer.
And if seniors were really educated relative to what is in their best interest, they would be more compliant. This theory was tested at the Nurse’s Clinic in 1982.
As a result of a sagging economy, a decline in the delivery of essential healthcare services for seniors; a paradigm shift in the management of healthcare services, the unfortunate exploitation by physicians by the illegal use of Medicare reimbursements, demands an alternative plan. Now it is time for the Nurse’s Clinic to go resurface and go universal in the form of a franchise designed for Registered Nurses. To give nurses an option to practice nursing or continue in the expanded roles of technology.
The goal is to make a Nurse’s Clinic available to every neighborhood in America. It’s time for a change.
Alfreda Lawson McDaniel, RN, BSN, LHD, is historically acclaimed to be the first Registered Nurse Practitioner in America, who established, designed, and implemented: “The Nurse’s Clinic”, founded in 1982.
The Nurse’s Clinic was initiated in 1982. It was motivated by a lack of healthcare resources for the populations that needed it most, the elderly and children. The author was the first Registered Nurse to reveal medical information to educate patients for the benefit of their own health maintenance. Prior to “The Nurse’s Clinic”, patients was told, “you will have to ask your doctor.”
One of the essential focuses of The Nurse’s Clinic was to educate the patient regarding the proper use of medications: why the medication was prescribed, the side effects of the medication, and when not to take the medication.
The myth of “old age” is becoming known as what it is…a myth. With the advent of medical science, conscious nutrition, weight control, and personalized exercise, it is possible for seniors to live longer and in optimal health.
ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE PROGRAM
The Nurse’s Clinic was designed, established, implemented, directed and operated, by a Registered Nurse, namely, Alfreda Lawson McDaniel, who also was the first President and CEO of the Nurse’s Clinic Inc.
· The First Nurses Clinic was initiated in 1982. It was motivated by a lack of healthcare resources for the population that needed it most, the elderly.
· The myth of “old age” is becoming known as what it is…a myth. With the advent of medical science, conscious nutrition, weight control, and personalized exercise for seniors, it is now possible for seniors to live longer and in optimal health.
· When seniors are patiently educated about what is in their best interest, they are more compliant. This theory was proven in 1982 at The Nurse’s Clinic. Finally medical research has also provided data which is in support of the benefits of exercise.
· The author asserts that: We can greatly enhance the quality of life and increase longevity more efficiently and effectively outside of the hospitals by doing the following:
· Minimize the probability of exposure to Nosecomial Infections in hospitals by utilizing more nurse directed clinics for education and health maintenance.
· Protect seniors from unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies who bribe physicians to prescribe off label and dangerous drugs, that are sold to seniors at a cost 10 to 20 time greater than their worth.
· Compel physicians to utilize less expensive drugs that have been approved by FDA for the same or similar conditions, which are more affordable.
· Compel Fitness Centers to update their facilities to include a medically safe environment for seniors.
· Support the philosophy of The Nurse’s Clinic for the good of all seniors. Healthcare should be a right for all Americans
Chapter 18
The Future of the Nurse’s Clinic
The Franchise Opportunity
The future of The Nurses’ Clinic belongs to America. The inclination to franchise The Nurse’s Clinic was first made in 1988. However, the author was not ready to give up her infant for fear of misuse and abuse of the name. The very name “The Nurses Clinic, brought inquires from far and wide. The integrity of The Nurses Clinic had to be preserved and protected. It has commanded the highest of respect from its inception. The original Nurse’s Clinic was visited by the Better Business Bureau to check out some inquires from suspicious citizens. After explaining the rationale and purpose of the clinic, the author was presented with an extremely exquisite plaque, and wished the best of success with the endeavor.
We also had inquires from the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. After their investigation, the author was invited to become a member of the Chamber, which she did, and served on several committees.
Now the author had envisioned that the need for the service is more critical than ever. The time has finally arrived to re-introduce the concept of The Nurses’ Clinic to America, and the nurses of America, to provide for them, the opportunity to return to their passion of the past, the lost art of nursing.
The Franchise Opportunity is primarily open to Registered Nurses.
The goal is to put a Nurse’s Clinic in every neighborhood in America.
The franchise opportunity is not for everyone. It is only for those nurses who truly enjoy the art of nursing and cherish the psychological rewards that one receives from having a genuine positive regard for the welfare of humanity (taking care of others).
