Understanding and Addressing Human Trafficking in Healthcare: A Nursing Perspective

Understanding and Addressing Human Trafficking in Healthcare: A Nursing Perspective

Summary

Understanding human trafficking is essential for nurses, as they often serve as critical points of contact for victims in need of help. This course, Understanding and Addressing Human Trafficking in Healthcare: A Nursing Perspective, equips nurses with the knowledge and tools to identify, respond to, and prevent human trafficking.

Human trafficking affects millions of people worldwide, with victims often hidden in plain sight. Nurses, armed with compassion and clinical expertise, can play a pivotal role in recognizing the red flags of trafficking, such as physical injuries, behavioral signs, or inconsistent personal stories. This course emphasizes trauma-informed care, providing practical strategies for screening patients safely and effectively while avoiding re-traumatization.

In this course you will learn about the legal and ethical responsibilities of mandatory reporting, collaboration with law enforcement, and connecting victims with critical advocacy resources. Additionally, this course delves into prevention and advocacy, inspiring nurses to become educators and policy advocates within their communities.

Through engaging content and actionable insights, this course empowers nurses to be proactive and confident in addressing human trafficking within healthcare settings. By understanding the complexities of this issue and utilizing the tools provided, nurses can truly make a difference in combating one of the most pressing global crises of our time.

Course Description:
This 1-hour continuing education course meets the requirements for a 1 hour course covering Human Trafficking for nursing license renewal.  It is designed to empower nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, respond to, and prevent human trafficking in healthcare settings. With millions of victims globally, human trafficking often intersects with healthcare when victims seek medical attention. Nurses are uniquely positioned to recognize red flags, provide trauma-informed care, and connect individuals with critical resources.

This course explores the types of human trafficking, behavioral and physical indicators, and effective screening techniques tailored to healthcare environments. You’ll also learn about your legal and ethical responsibilities, including mandatory reporting and working collaboratively with law enforcement and advocacy organizations.

Through practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable strategies, this course equips nurses to confidently address human trafficking while advocating for prevention and policy changes in their communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the scope and types of human trafficking.
• Recognize signs and red flags in healthcare settings.
• Implement trauma-informed screening and response strategies.
• Fulfill legal and ethical responsibilities when encountering suspected cases.
• Advocate for policies and education to combat human trafficking.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive content tailored for nurses and
• Focus on ease of implementation in clinical practice.
• A motivational call to action to make a meaningful difference.

This course is essential for any nurse committed to safeguarding vulnerable populations and creating safer communities.

Author:  NIHE Faculty

CE Hours:  2

Course Created on:  12/16/24   Course Expires on:  12/15/27

Target Audience: 

• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)

Completion Requirements:

1. Enrollment in the course by the learner
2. Read and learn all course materials
3. Complete the course evaluation
4. Attest and testify learning of the course materials

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Relevant Financial Relationships

Neither National Institute for Healthcare Education nor any authors, planners, content experts, or contributors have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Accreditation Statement: 

National Institute for Healthcare Education, the parent company of TopNurseCE.com, is a CA Board of Registered Nursing CE Provider #13886. This course explores human trafficking and highlights the critical role of nurses in preventing, identifying, and addressing it within healthcare settings.  It will take the average learner 2 hours to complete.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this course is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider in considering diagnosis and treatment options for a particular patient’s medical condition. Copyright © 2024: All rights reserved. No part of the materials may be reproduced without the express written consent of TopNurseCE.com Professional Educational Institution. The content of this course is intended to provide general information on the topics covered. This information has been prepared by experts with practical experience in the subject matter. This should not be considered medical, legal or professional advice. TopNurseCE.com recommends that individuals contact a licensed medical, legal or professional provider in their respective state. While TopNurseCE.com uses reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and current at the time of publication, TopNurseCE.com makes no representations as to its applicability to your particular situation. No guarantees are given and reliance on them does not constitute liability. Testimonials are collected from feedback surveys submitted by customers. The model presented is for representation purposes and is not intended for actual patients.

Course Outline

1. Introduction

• Definition of Human Trafficking
  • According to U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)
  • Global definitions by the United Nations
• Scope and Prevalence
  • Statistics on human trafficking in the U.S. and globally
  • Types of trafficking (labor, sex trafficking, organ trafficking)
• Relevance to Nursing Practice
  • Healthcare as a point of contact for victims
  • Ethical and legal responsibilities

1. Understanding Human Trafficking

• Types of Human Trafficking
  • Sex Trafficking
  • Labor Trafficking
  • Child Exploitation
• Who Are the Victims?
  • Demographics and vulnerable populations
  • Risk factors (poverty, homelessness, abuse history, immigration status)
• Who Are the Traffickers?
  • Profiles of traffickers
  • Recruitment and coercion tactics

III. Recognizing Signs and Red Flags in Healthcare Settings

• Behavioral Indicators
  • Fearful, submissive, or anxious behavior
  • Inconsistencies in personal stories
• Physical Indicators
  • Injuries consistent with abuse or neglect
  • Lack of control over personal documents or finances
• Common Healthcare Encounters
  • ER visits, STI treatment, pregnancy, or malnourishment

1. Screening and Assessment Strategies

• Creating a Safe Environment
  • Confidentiality and nonjudgmental communication
  • Using interpreters appropriately
• Screening Tools and Techniques
  • Examples of validated tools
  • Importance of trauma-informed care
• What to Ask (and Not Ask)
  • Specific questions for identifying trafficking
  • Avoiding re-traumatization

1. Responding to Suspected Human Trafficking

• Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
  • Mandatory reporting laws
  • Protecting patient autonomy and safety
• Working with Law Enforcement and Advocacy Groups
  • When to involve authorities
  • Partnering with local organizations
• Documenting Findings
  • Importance of clear, objective documentation
  • What to include and what to avoid

1. Prevention and Advocacy

• Education and Awareness
  • Training for healthcare professionals
  • Community outreach
• Policies and Protocols
  • Integrating trafficking response into healthcare settings
  • Example of successful hospital or clinic policies
• Advocating for Policy Changes
  • Supporting legislation to combat trafficking
  • Resources for nurses to get involved

VII. Conclusion and Call to Action

• Summarizing Key Points
• Empowering Nurses to Act
  • Importance of ongoing education
  • Becoming advocates in their communities

Learning Objectives:

This course will equip Registered Nurses with the skills and knowledge necessary to address elder abuse effectively. By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the scope and types of human trafficking.
• Recognize signs and red flags in healthcare settings.
• Implement trauma-informed screening and response strategies.
• Fulfill legal and ethical responsibilities when encountering suspected cases.
• Advocate for policies and education to combat human trafficking.