Preparing BSN Students for Population-Focused Nursing Care.

Area of Science:

• Community Health Nursing
• Population Health
• Public Health Education

Background:

• Baccalaureate nursing programs can address health disparities in underserved communities.
• Partnerships between academic institutions and community organizations enhance student learning and service delivery.
• Vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing homelessness, face significant barriers to accessing healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a community-based learning experience for baccalaureate nursing students.
• To evaluate the impact of hands-on population-focused nursing on student understanding.
• To highlight the benefits of interprofessional collaboration in addressing community health needs.

Main Methods:

• Students partnered with a homeless shelter and community clinic.
• Health needs assessments were conducted using surveys and interviews.
• Educational sessions were planned and implemented based on identified health priorities.

Main Results:

• Students developed a greater understanding of community health concepts.
• Students demonstrated the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical nursing scenarios.
• The program provided valuable health services to an underserved population.

Conclusions:

• Community-engaged learning enhances nursing students' competence in population health.
• Collaborative initiatives are effective in addressing the health needs of vulnerable populations.
• Data collection is recommended to further validate the effectiveness of such programs for service improvement and funding acquisition.