The Community Registered Nurse Navigator Project is structured to recruit experienced registered nurses from all health regions of Tennessee to partner with community entities (UT Extension, DOH Offices, Non-Government Organizations, churches, schools, and private health providers) and assess barriers to routine immunizations. Focusing on vulnerable and rural communities, but operating in all 95 counties, these Nurse Navigators have been working with collaborative partners to develop sustainable interventions to improve immunization rates that are tailored to specific community needs. Recruiting nurses and partners from within Tennessee’s communities allows Nurse Navigators to build on the public trust in nurses. The Nurse Navigators’ expertise and preexisting and developing social and professional networks have proven to be invaluable in our assessment phase. As we meet this grand challenge of increasing vaccine rates in the state, we have observed many barriers ranging from lack of vaccine education, lack of access to healthcare, and even political stigma from the debates and efficacy concerns related to COVID-19 vaccines.
