Healthy Planning Project I Paper

NURS 470- Community Health Nursing

Purpose of Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to allow students the opportunity to gain entry and
assess a population within their community. Working with the community, students will identify
and prioritize a community diagnosis and develop a plan to address it.
Student Approach to Assignment
For this assignment, a group of my classmates and I were assigned to a civic organization
for an academic year. We worked together to conduct a health needs assessment on our
aggregate, clearly define their needs as perceived by the community, complete a literature review
on the issue, and investigate what resources are currently available to address these needs.
Reason for Inclusion of the Assignment in the Portfolio
This assignment is included in the portfolio because it highlights the research and critical
thinking that I and my group conducted in order to better guide our community health aggregate
to a healthier lifestyle.
Communication
Produces clear, accurate, and relevant writing using correct grammar, spelling and
punctuation.
Example: When this paper was written, we came together as a group and proofread
the paper to ensure that correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation were used.
Appropriate APA formatting and citing was also used.
Leadership
Initiates community partnerships to establish health promotion goals and implements
strategies to meet those goals.
Example: In this paper, we described our partnership with the Drug Court program in
order to help guide their aggregate to optimum heart health. One of the goals
established for this aggregate was to promote more exercise, and the proposed
intervention for this goal was a bike share program.
Organizes, manages, and evaluates the development of strategies to promote healthy
communities.
Example: In this paper, we discussed possible strategies for promoting optimal heart
health among this community. These strategies include possibly hiring a nurse for the
Drug Court program to facilitate health promotion. This strategy was evaluated as
possibly not feasible because of the financial strain that it could pose on the program.
Culture

 Maintains an awareness of global environmental factors that may influence the delivery
of health care services.
Example: In this paper, it is discussed that most of the Drug Court group members are
of a low-income and do not have the best access to current healthcare information.
Many of them do not even known of the affordable places in which they can go to be
treated for their health problems. This low-income status is a known factor that
influences the delivery of health care to this population.
Considers the impact of research outcomes and, the effects of health and social policies,
on persons from diverse backgrounds.
Example: As stated in this paper, current research has shown that many recreational
drugs have a negative effect on the cardiovascular and central nervous system. This is
especially important to take into consideration when considering the cardiovascular
health of the Drug Court aggregate; many of whom already possess non-modifiable
risk factors for hypertension.
Research
Applies research-based knowledge from nursing as the basis for culturally sensitive
practice.
Example: We applied our research-based knowledge to establish the health issues of
the Drug Court aggregate. Research revealed that hypertension is a big health issue
among low-income African-Americans and it is commonly uncontrolled.