Community Health Intro Page
NURS 472: Community Health Nursing II
Assignment Purpose
This nursing course focuses on professional nursing practice with groups and communities as clients. Within the nursing process students will explore utilization of epidemiological systems and nursing theories to assist groups and communities to meet their nursing and community health needs. Emphasis is on promoting community wellness through interactions with groups, the social and political agencies.
Approach to Assignment
This portfolio was developed as a reflective compilation of both academic work and essential learning completed throughout my Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Our approach to this assignment was to demonstrate our proficiency with using the nursing process, clinical reasoning, professional values, and evidence-based instruction while working with the aggregate of persons experiencing housing insecurity.
Reason for Inclusion
Domain 3: Population Health. Assess the priorities of the community and/or the affected clinical population.
Our work with PiN Ministry allowed us to address the social determinants of health (SDOH) by intervening in the structural barriers within healthcare systems that contribute to the problems faced by persons with housing insecurity. We recognize that homelessness, access to care, stress, and nutrition all contribute to a patient’s risk for hypertension.
Domain 3: Population Health. Initiates community partnerships to establish health promotion goals and implements strategies to meet those goals.
Through collaboration with PiN Ministry and with the Ellmer School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (ESON DNP) program faculty, we were able to obtain personal blood pressure cuff monitoring kits for participating members of our aggregate and provide patient education regarding hypertension hygiene self-care.
Domain 3: Population Health. Demonstrate effective collaboration and mutual accountability with relevant stakeholders.
Recognizing that the ESON DNP students were working as providers at PiN Ministry in service to a mutual patient population, we the Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) students conducted patient triage, vital signs assessment, and exam room preparatory tasks to ensure continuity of care and accurate patient needs communication.
Domain 3: Population Health. Prioritize patient-focused and/or community action plans that are safe, effective, and efficient in the context of available resources.
We provided participating aggregate members with blood pressure cuffs, blood pressure tracking logs, ink pens, and a carrying case and discussed an action plan for consistent blood pressure monitoring and self-assessment while experiencing housing insecurity. Pre and post education and action plan discussion surveys were utilized to assess patient adherence to the action plan.
Domain 8: Informatics and Healthcare Technologies. Use evidence-based patient teaching materials, considering health literacy, vision, hearing, and cultural sensitivity.
Through my collaborative work with a team of nursing school peers, I provided evidence-based patient education to persons experiencing homelessness that are participants at PiN Ministry, a nonprofit organization and medical clinic that services persons experiencing homelessness or are at risk for homelessness. We employed the Health Planning model to improve health among the aggregate, educate participants about hypertension, and provide them with blood pressure cuffs and tools to log their blood pressure readings. We tailored our patient education to the needs of our aggregate by using plain language communication and confirming understanding via return demonstration.
Domain 9: Professionalism. Apply principles of professional nursing ethics and human rights in patient care and professional situations.
We demonstrated professionalism through our advocacy for underserved and marginalized populations by providing education, discussing action plans, and distributing resources for patients experiencing homelessness.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (n.d.). Domains & Concepts. The essentials. https://www.aacnnursing.org/essentials/tool-kit/domains-concept