FrontLiner Profiles (Nurses Day Edition): Alison Swartwout
“The hardest part of my job is engaging clients who are resistant to or wary of healthcare. Historically, the healthcare system has not been very kind to people experiencing homelessness, addiction, or mental illness. I have to meet people just where they're at and build a level of trust before we can work together.”
Alison Swartwout has worked as an Integrated Care Nurse since 2021.
Allison Swartwout, , RN, BSN, Integrated Care Nurse at FrontLine Service, serving patients.
Q: Why do you work here? Why do you care about this work?
A: Our clients are part of a vulnerable population who are at greater risk for poorer health outcomes. Our work here is important because we work to break down barriers to healthcare while considering all the social determinants of health.
Q: What made you get into nursing?
A: My mom is a nurse practitioner and thought I would be good at nursing, so I decided to see if I liked it, and I fell in love with it.
Q: What are your basic job responsibilities?
A: I am responsible for outreach efforts to assist FrontLine staff with difficult-to-engage clients living with homelessness or who are at risk for homelessness with a goal of assessing and prioritizing healthcare needs. I am responsible for care management and care coordination such as health care linkage, treatment of mental health symptoms, alcohol, and other drug abuse issues, with a focus on increasing self-sufficiency and self-determination.
Q: What is a typical day like for you?
A: Every day is different for me. I spend time outreaching clients in the community or meeting with clients in the office, accompanying clients to medical appointments, creating integrated plans of care, and coordinating care between FrontLine providers, case managers, and medical providers at other institutions. Once a week, I join MetroHealth's Mobile Clinic out at our Permanent Supportive Housing sites to help coordinate care for clients to help bridge the gap between mental health and physical health care.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: I enjoy getting to help my clients from a holistic perspective. I get to see how they live and help them overcome barriers to healthcare over time, as opposed to treating a patient in the hospital and then sending them home without seeing the impact/outcome.
Q: What would you say to someone who is interested in working in nursing at FrontLine?
A: I would tell them to apply and come visit! Working in the community is such a rewarding experience, and it's probably different and better than they expect.