NURS 451
Community Health Nursing
NURS 451. Community Health Nursing
Three hours lecture; six hours practicum (5).
Prerequisites: NURS 443, 444, 448
Semester offered: Fall, Spring, Summer (Registered Nurse students only)
Focuses on client/environment interactions incorporating clinical experiences with diverse populations in a variety of community settings and with individuals, families, aggregates, and communities.
The objectives and content of this Level 4 Course are derived from the School of Nursing’s philosophy and conceptual framework, and facilitate achievement of the School’s program objectives. Additionally, the major topics and skills covered in this course are common to major leadership and professional development nursing textbooks, and represent areas covered on standardized achievement examinations and the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Current research and advancement in theory and clinical practice also determine content.
1. Community Assessment
a. Community structure and function
b. Frameworks, methodologies, and tools for standardizing data collection and analysis and reporting
c. Culturally sensitive community partnerships
d. Data information sources
2. Principles of epidemiology
a. Morbidity and mortality
b. Natural history
c. Disease control and surveillance
d. Screening
e. Clinical decision making
3. Providing a safe and healthy environment
a. Health policy
b. Regulatory Processes (OSHA, CDC)
c. Methods/tools for data collection/analysis
d. Injury registries/ergonomics
e. Program planning
4. Measuring performance, effectiveness, and outcomes of health services
a. Comprehensive health planning/Healthy People
b. Identify assets and gaps in service structure
c. Health status indicators
d. Effectiveness of interventions
e. Accessibility and quality of individual and population-wide health services
5. Promoting Healthy Communities
a. Effective use of the media to encourage both personal and community responsibility for informed decision making
b. Public awareness/marketing campaigns/Health Fairs
c. Mobilizing the community for action
d. Ethical issues of social justice and individual versus aggregate rights
6. Providing targeted outreach and forming partnerships
a. Global health care
b. Capitalizing on cultural diversity
c. Working with vulnerable populations
7. Providing health care services for high risk aggregates that threaten the health of the community
a. Primary health care
b. Preventive health services
The following teaching strategies may be employed:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Apply the nursing process to promote, protect, and restore the holistic health of clients with emphasis on high risk aggregates.
2. Perform theory and evidence based therapeutic nursing interventions within the scope of community health nursing practice.
3. Apply principles of epidemiology, community health organization, and health policy to provide a safe and healthy environment.
4. Collaborate with clients and other health care professionals to provide culturally sensitive and ethical care for communities.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking regarding professional nursing practice and health care issues pertinent to community health nursing.
6. Utilize effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills relevant to community health nursing practice.
7. Utilize knowledge and skills in health care and information technologies to work with communities.
8. Evidence commitment to personal and professional development in the area of community health.
May include:
The course grade is determined by an evaluation of the extent to which the student meets the stated course objectives. Students must have a minimum of 75% (“C”) in theory, measured through testing. Other written or class participation work will be included in the final grade after the minimum 75% (“C”) has been attained through testing.
Final Grades are a combination of at least 75% (“C”) on both theory and graded clinical/lab components. Clinical/lab performance must be satisfactory to pass the course.
Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details.
Students with Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO). The DRO website is www.radford.edu/~dro-web or email dro-web@radford.edu or telephone 540-831-6350. To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with course faculty no later than the second week of the semester.
Attendance: For Attendance policies and other course-related requirements, see School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.
Date Action Reviewed by
April 2006 Undergraduate Curriculum Marcella Griggs, Review Director