HIV/AIDS for Healthcare Providers (Florida)

Course overview

HIV/AIDS remains one of the most complex and stigmatized health conditions globally and nationally, particularly among vulnerable and historically marginalized populations. For healthcare providers, delivering high-quality HIV prevention, testing, and treatment requires not only clinical knowledge but also an awareness of the deep-rooted stigma, discrimination, and implicit bias that continue to affect patients across care settings. This course is designed to equip nurses and other licensed healthcare professionals with both foundational clinical understanding and critical reflection skills necessary to care for patients at risk of or living with HIV/AIDS. The first section reviews key epidemiologic, diagnostic, and treatment knowledge to ensure competence in core care principles. The second, state-required section provides in-depth education on stigma, discrimination, and implicit bias in HIV care, exploring how intersecting social identities (e.g., race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status) impact access to services and health outcomes. The final section offers communication, confidentiality, and practice-based strategies to support equitable, respectful, and affirming HIV care. This course also includes a Florida-specific legal compliance section covering state statutes on HIV testing, confidentiality, reporting, pregnancy testing, and partner notification. Whether working in hospitals, clinics, schools, or community-based settings, learners will leave this course with the tools to provide not only medically appropriate HIV care, but also care that is culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and free of judgment.