Community Synthesis Paper
This paper is a synthesis of your study of community health nursing and is worth up to 100 points. The paper is 25% of your final grade for the course.
Please note: This project is also a component of your WCU RN to BSN Evaluation Portfolio that you will maintain throughout your career as an undergraduate student. For this semester, your portfolio should contain this project. Group work is not allowed. Students must work independently.
*The community/county used for your paper must be approved by the course professor. Email 3 community choices to your professor by the date listed in the course calendar.
Paper Criteria:
Address the following criteria in your paper and identify/label paper sections (level headings) following APA guidelines.
Phase One: Define the Community
1. Name of Community – My community is Iredell county
2. Location, boundaries, size in miles/acres, physical environment including any environmental hazards
Phase Two: Assessment
The goal of assessment is to collect data and usable information about the community residents. Data gathering involves compiling information that already exists. Data can be collected from a variety of valid and professional sources.
Include the following:
1. Biophysical aspects including population (number of residents), age, gender, race/ethical composition
2. Psychosocial and cultural aspects including socioeconomic status, number and level of educational facilities, average or prevailing education level, major occupations, unemployment rate, religious facilities/churches, cultural considerations
3. Behavioral aspects including recreation and exercise facilities, substance use and abuse, sexual activity (teenage pregnancy, STD’s, HIV)
4. Health care services available in the community including the levels of care provided (primary, secondary, tertiary) and factors such as adequacy, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability/use
5. Overall health status of the community and any vulnerable groups. Using mortality and morbidity rates identify the leading causes of death (top 3), prevalence of chronic illness (top 3). Compare with the mortality and morbidity rates of the state and nation.
Phase Three: Data Interpretation
Data are analyzed and synthesized to search for significant themes and trends.
1. Identify 1 area of strength in the community and provide rationale for your decision.
2. Identify 1 health need in the community (based on Healthy People 2020) that can be addressed by the community health nurse and provide rationale for your decision.
Phase Four: Community Health Nursing Program
Develop an original evidence-based nursing program to address the identified community health need
1. Describe the program including the major purpose of the program
2. Identify one specific program objective to help meet purpose of program (include action verb, single purpose, single result, time frame)
3. Discuss activity(s) needed to meet program objective
4. Describe resources needed including personnel/staff, equipment, supplies, facilities
5. Explain collaboration/teamwork needed with other healthcare disciplines and/or community organizations
Additional Criteria for paper
APA format
Grammar, sentence structure, spelling, etc.
References: In addition to the textbook and valid internet database references (and other resources) used to gather existing community assessment data, at least three additional references from current scholarly/professional journals are required with a total of at least 8 professional references.
Length: Approximately 10 pages, not including title page and reference page
The paper due date is found in the course calendar – late penalty applies
Submit the paper in BB
