Community as client: a "hands-on" experience for baccalaureate nursing students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Community Health

Background:

• Community as client is a core concept in nursing, yet often theoretical in baccalaureate programs.
• Most community health practicums focus on individuals and families, not aggregate populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of a "community as client" approach in undergraduate nursing education.
• To provide baccalaureate nursing students with hands-on experience at the community level.

Main Methods:

• Focus on actualizing the "community as client" concept through practical application.
• Curriculum designed for registered nurses pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Main Results:

• Students gain decision-making and problem-solving skills at both individual and aggregate levels.
• Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical community health nursing.

Conclusions:

• Integrating "community as client" into practicums enhances BSN students' preparedness.
• Fostering a holistic approach to community health nursing for future registered nurses.