COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT

NURS 492 Community Health Nursing

Purpose of Assignment
The purpose of the project is to examine a community health problem for a specific aggregate.
The project is to be able to apply the nursing process to a vulnerable population within your
community. In addition, the purpose of this assignment is to utilize the Health Planning Model
to improve aggregate health and to apply the nursing process to the larger aggregate within a
systems framework.
Approach to Assignment
I approached this assignment with a bunch of research. I decided to research the community to
see what health problems needed to be addressed. Hypertension was the most commonly
diagnosed chronic disease in Hampton so that’s why I ended up choosing that health problem. I
then starting planning how I would address the need, then I implemented the chosen
interventions.
Reason for Inclusion
I included this project to show my leadership role in assessing and implementing interventions to
address a current health problem.
Nursing Practice
Demonstrates an awareness of complementary modalities and their usefulness in promotion
health.
 In this paper, I discuss the use of lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise to
promote health while also reducing the risk of hypertension.
Communication
Demonstrates skills in using technology, informatics, and communication devices that support
safe nursing practice.
 When implementing this project, I used an automated blood pressure machine to perform
blood pressure screenings and to teach the proper use of the machine. The machine
would digitally communicate the blood pressure reading, heart rate and detect any
irregular heartbeats.
Teaching
Evaluates the efficacy of health promotion and education modalities.
 In this project, I evaluated my success in educating the learners. I used the
demonstration/ teach back method to evaluate the use of the automatic blood pressure
machine. I used a pre and post test to test the knowledge of the learners before and after
 the education session to determine if I was successful as an educator. Lastly, I used recall
to evaluate the learner’s knowledge of the lifestyle modifications that were taught during
the education. Health promotion was the primary goal behind this education session. I
wanted to provide the community with the necessary knowledge to be able to prevent and
manage their hypertension.
Uses informatics to enhance one’s own knowledge base to support teaching.
 I used various websites including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
County Health Rankings, and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and other research
articles to enhance my knowledge regarding the data and statistics of Hampton, VA and
the health problem of hypertension to support my teaching sessions.
Research
Applies research-based knowledge from the arts, humanities and sciences to complement nursing
practice.
 This community health project utilized many different sources to teach about the
prevention and management of hypertension. Some of the research used was from the
VDH, CDC, County Health Rankings, and other research articles. I used this information
when executing my planned interventions.
Evaluates research that focuses on the efficacy and effectiveness of nursing intervention.
 The CDC (2016) suggested that regular blood pressure checks, eating a healthy diet,
maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, limiting alcohol abuse,
preventing/managing diabetes, and smoking cessation to maintain normal blood pressure.
Himmelfarb, Commodore-Mensan and Hill (2016) states that lifestyle changes and or
medication can significantly reduce a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
I used this information to guide what my planned nursing interventions.
Leadership
Initiates community partners to establish health promotion goals and implements strategies to
meet those goals.
 During this project, I implemented a partnership with Hampton Public Library to hold the
education sessions. I educated the learners on hypertension and its correlation to stroke,
lifestyle modifications to prevent/manage hypertension and the correct use of an
automatic blood pressure machine. At the end of the session, I asked the learners to
develop a plan to implement 30-45 minutes of exercise at least three times a week.
Another goal was for clients to demonstrate the ability to use an automatic blood pressure
machine. I demonstrated the use of the automated blood pressure machine then allowed
the client to teach that back to me.
Organizes, manages, and evaluates the development of strategies to promote healthy
communities.
  During this project, I assessed the target aggregate and identified their current health
needs. I followed the aggregate closely through scheduled meetings at the local library. I
decided to focus on hypertension due to the statistics I found in my research of the city.
Hypertension accounted for almost one-third of the population. I implemented education
sessions educate the community on the correlation between hypertension and stroke,
healthy lifestyle behaviors to manage/prevent hypertension, the use and management of
an automatic blood pressure machine. I evaluated the effectiveness of the education
sessions through a pre and post-test, recall, teach back and demonstration.
Culture
Considers the impact of research outcomes and, the effects of health and social policies, on
persons from diverse backgrounds.
 Research suggests that lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and being physical active
can maintain normal blood pressure levels. Some of the population may not be able to
maintain a healthy diet due to financial resources. In 2016, the poverty rate for Hampton
was 16.4% and the unemployment rate was 5.62%. These social determinants of health
can negatively affect the health of the population.
 When educating, I made sure to use simple terms because I was not aware of everyone’s
education level. I wanted to ensure that everyone would be able to understand what I was
teaching.