A Community Assessment

...y of life for people by collaborative working with the population to create the conditions that ensure healthy lives (Public Health Nursing, 2013). The nursing process is applied to all levels of nursing practices every day. The public health nurses interventions are target on the whole population and guided by an assessment of the community health (Public Health Nursing, 2013). Although the PHN primarily aims at prevention, all levels of prevention is utilized to improve the wellbeing of the communities.

Diagnosing and investigating health problems and health hazards in the community. Informing, educating and empowering the people about health issues. Mobilizing community partnerships to identify and solve health problems. Health assessments also develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. They also enforce laws and regulations that help protect health and ensure safety (Thivierge, 2016). Assessments link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. Public health assessments can help to assure the public of the competency of the public health and personal health care workforce. These assessments evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services (Thivierge,

“A public health nurse is a nurse who works to promote and protect the health of an entire population” (Allender, Rector, & Warner, 2010, p. 839) the public health nurse I chose to interview was Barbara, she currently works for the Health department and has been there for three years. During the interview Barbara discussed the requirements for a public health nurse. The individual must have the ability to exercise independent judgment, planning and able to administer safe effective public nursing care. In addition be able to work effectively with individuals and families to assist them in the satisfactory solution of health problems, by recognizing and respecting of different cultural, ethnic and difference on health care practices. The nurse is also required to know disease prevention such as, different techniques on teaching, counseling, interviewing and resources available. Barbara stated that the most important part of being a public health nurse is being able to care. Barbara acknowledged that there are numerous individuals that she assists everyday that just want someone to exhibit that they care and understand. The education a public health nurse should obtain is a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which Barbara posses. “Public health nurses working with specific populations or in administration position should hold a master’s degree” ( Allender et al., 2010, p.839). Barbara discussed that before becoming a public health nurse she worked at St. Francis Hospital as med-surge nurse for five years, after that it was imperative that she change working environment. Barbara confirmed that working as a nurse in the hospital was extremely diverse then working as public health nurse. “Comparing public health nurse and general nurse, public health nursing is population based, focuses on the greater good, health promotion and disease prevention, and utilizes community resources. The general nursing is individual based, focuses on individual good, restoration of health and function, and manage resources at hand” (Minnesota Department of Health, 2007). In the beginning Barbara thought that public health nursing would be a difficult job to gain knowledge of however, she established that it was exceptionally effortless and gratifying career to posses. Barbara stated that she did not realize how much assistance was out there for the public until; she worked as public health nurse. Barbara spends 95% of her day going from place to place by doing home visits, investigating different cases, assisting with screening programs and enormous amount of paper work.

A community can be defined as a group of people, who live, learn, work and play in an environment at a given time. (Yiu, 2012, p.213) There are many factors that may influence the community’s development and health status. These can include resources available, accessibility, transportation, safety, community needs etc… These influences may combine together to form community strengths and as well as community challenges or weaknesses. As a community health care nurse, it is significant for us to assess and identify these strengths and challenges within the community in order for us to intervene and provide the appropriate needed health care services for the community members. This individual scholarly paper will explore and focus on one challenge issue identified from our group community assessment.

According to the NeighborhoodScout website; Syracuse, NY, has one of the highest crime rates in the United States compared to all communities of all sizes. Chances of becoming a victim of violent or property crime in Syracuse is 1 in 20, or 5%. Rape, murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, vehicle theft, arson, and burglaries are the most common crimes committed within the city. Over the course of this semester, as I explored the various influences that leads to violent crime, I grew very curious over the high crime rate that is plaguing the city of Syracuse. I explored, in depth, the various factors that lead to high crime rates such as race, class, and public relations. I wanted to see how these factors are represented in the city of Syracuse. For my interview, I went on a mission to discover how these factors, and any other outside influences, play a role in the violent crime occurring within Syracuse. The Near Westside neighborhood of Syracuse, where crime is very prevalent, is the specific location where we will look to explore these influences. These topics in relation to crime occurring in the Near Westside are explored with my interviewee who has great experience and expertise in our discussion.

Lundy, K. S., & Janes, S. (2009). Care of Communities and Populations. Community Health Nursing: Caring for the Public's Health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Truglio-Londrigan, M., & Leweson, S., (2011). Public health nursing: practicing population-based care. Second Ed. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public health nursing: Population centered health care in the community (6th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.

Educational preparation for the advanced practice public health nurse includes at least a Master’s degree and is based on an integration of current knowledge and research in public health, nursing, and other scientific preparations. In addition to executing the functions of the generalist in population-focused nursing, the specialist retains clinical experience in political and legislative activities, delivering and evaluating service, organizing, interdisciplinary planning, community empowerment, and assuming a leadership role in interventions that have a positive effect on the health of the community. Certification examinations for advanced practice nurses are rewarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Wilson, Susan. (2009). Health Assessment for Nursing Practice (5th ed., pp. 520-521). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

...esity. Based on my observations, interviews, and collected statistics, I believe my community would benefit from a public awareness campaign and worksite wellness. Most community members are unaware of the resources and programs available and I believe that these two nursing interventions will cultivate collaboration among the community as well as raise awareness about this health epidemic. These two nursing interventions will address the gaps identified; availability of resources, time management, and accountability. Furthermore, I imagine that these two nursing interventions will lessen the two health inequities identified. This health issue will be an ongoing struggle, which will require persistent attention and unity among the community.

Maurer, F., & Smith, C. (2005). Community/public health nursing practice: Health for families and populations (3rd ed.). Retrieved from http://books.google.com

groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health,

At one end are the residential communities of East Setauket/Stony Brook – split-level ranches with multiple cars in the driveway, lawns that are diligently watered (despite the ongoing drought here) and mowed, the studied quiet of Long Island suburbia. At the other end, the trail literally empties out into a lot in Port Jefferson Station where homeless individuals curl up under trees for shade and sleep in summer and food pantries routinely draw large crowds on the weekend. (This is in sharp contrast to the more affluent gatherings literally down the hill in the coffee shops, boutique shops and restaurants of Port

Healthcare is a continuous emerging industry across the world. With our ever changing life styles and the increased levels of pollution across the world more and more people are suffering from various health issues. Nursing is an extremely diverse profession and among the highest educated with several levels ranging from a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a registered nurse (RN) on up to a Doctorate in Nursing. Diane Viens (2003) states that ‘The NP is a critical member of the workforce to assume the leadership roles within practice, education, research, health systems, and health policy’.