Assignment: Community Health Nursing
Objectives
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will:
1. Examine concepts of community assessment.
2. Identify strengths, weaknesses and resources in the community.
3. Identify community diagnoses that describe the health situation of that community.
4. Provide suggestions for implementation of a plan to address the diagnoses.
Guidelines:
1. Each individual will be assigned a community in Miami in which to perform a "windshield survey". Traditionally, a windshield survey involves driving or walking around the community to observe and obtain first-hand a complete and accurate understanding of the community.
2. This should be a fun and informative activity. Each community is easily located either using google search or google maps. Identify location of the community geographically.
3. Please address each of the questions in each subsystem of the Windshield Survey. The expectation is that each individual will explore their assigned community.
4. After completing the survey, determine the strengths and weaknesses of the community.
5. Identify at least 2 community nursing diagnoses for your community.
6. Provide suggestions for a plan to address the diagnoses.
7. Write up your findings in one paper and present them to the class. If you would like to take pictures or record your trip, it would be fantastic! Your presentation should not be longer than 30 minutes. Please practice before you present!
8. Windshield Survey*
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Subsystem
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Observations
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Physical Environment
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How does the community look?
What do you note about air quality, flora, housing, zoning, space, green areas, animals, people, human-made structures, natural beauty, water, and climate?
Can you find or develop a map of the area?
What is the size of the area?
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Health and Social Services
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Is there evidence of acute or chronic health problems?
Are there shelters?
Is there evidence of "traditional" healers?
Are there clinics, hospitals, healthcare providers' offices, public health services, home health agencies, emergency centers, nursing homes, social services facilities, mental health services, hospices? List them!
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Economics
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Does the community appear to be" thriving" or does it appear to have fallen upon hard times?
Are there stores, places for employment, industries?
Where do people shop? Are there signs that food stamps are used/accepted?
What is the unemployment rate?
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Safety and Transportation
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What types of protective services are there? (e.g. Police, fire, sanitation)
Are air and water quality monitored?
What are the number and types of crimes committed? Do people feel safe?
How do people get around?
What type of public and private transportation is available?
Do you see buses, bicycles, taxis?
Are there sidewalks, bike trails?
Is getting around in the community available for people with disabilities?
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Politics and Government
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Are there signs of political activity? (e.g. posters, meetings?)
What party affiliation predominates?
What is the governmental jurisdiction of the community? (e.g. elected mayor, city council with single member districts?)
Are people involved in decision making in their local government?
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Communication
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Are there "common areas" where people gather?
What newspapers do you see in the stands?
Do people have televisions and radios? What do they watch or listen to?
What are the formal and informal methods of communication?
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Education
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Are there schools in the area?
How do they look?
What is the reputation of the schools?
What are the dropout/graduation rates?
Are extracurricular activities available? Are they used?
Is there a school health service? A school health nurse?
Is there a local board of education?
Are there libraries in the community?
What are the major educational issues?
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Resources
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Where do children play? Where do families or adults play?
What are the major forms of recreation? Who participates?
What facilities for recreation do you see?
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*Source: Adapted from E. T. Anderson and J. McFarlane, (2008), Community as Partner: Theory and Practice in Nursing (5th ed.) pp. 220-221. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.