Created: 11/15/2008 1:46:20 PM 
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- Just as the weather turns colder, dozens of homeless people lined up for free flu shots and other medical tests thanks to four UNF students.
The students are also nurses at Flagler Hospital. They are about to graduate from the UNF RN-BSN program this winter. One of their college courses requires them to spend 90 clinical hours in the community.
"We saw all the clogging of all the homeless people in the emergency room, so what better idea to stop episodic care -- which is 'why are you here right now' -- to a broader care in the primary care center which is to take care of the whole person," explained Linda Fitzpatrick.
On Saturday, the students set up a health clinic on wheels in front of the St. Francis House in St. Augustine. The St. Johns County Health Department helped out. They gave out free flu shots, HIV tests and blood pressure tests.
Greg Bein was the first in line.
"To bring something like this here where it's needed is a wonderful thing," said Bein, who has been living on the streets since July.
The students also presented the St. Francis House with a $1,000 check on behalf of Flagler Hospital to help with their services for homeless people.
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