NURS 410: Community Health Nursing
Assessment Task 1: Windshield Survey and Community Analysis
Course Code: NURS 410
Course Title: Community Health Nursing
Assessment Type: Written Community Assessment Report
Word Count: 1,250–1,500 words
Weighting: 30% of final grade
Due Date: Week 3, Day 7 (Sunday 11:59 PM)
Task Overview
Conduct a systematic windshield survey of an assigned community and compose an academic report analyzing the community’s health profile. This assessment evaluates your ability to apply the Community-as-Partner model, identify social determinants of health, and prioritize community nursing diagnoses based on objective observational data and secondary demographic analysis.
Learning Objectives
- Execute a comprehensive windshield survey using systematic observational methods
- Apply the Community-as-Partner model to assess community strengths, capacities, and gaps
- Analyze demographic and epidemiological data to identify population health risks
- Formulate NANDA-I community nursing diagnoses based on assessment findings
- Propose evidence-based health promotion interventions aligned with identified priorities
Task Description
Compose a 1,250–1,500-word academic report based on your windshield survey of an assigned community. Your submission must address the following components:
- Community Core Assessment (300–350 words)Document the community’s essential characteristics:Support subjective observations with secondary data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, or county health departments.
- History: Founding period, development phases, significant historical events shaping current demographics
- Demographics: Population size, age distribution, racial/ethnic composition, household structures
- Ethnicity and Culture: Predominant cultural groups, religious institutions, visible cultural markers
- Values and Beliefs: Observable community priorities (e.g., environmental stewardship, education, safety)
- Community Subsystems Analysis (400–450 words)Evaluate eight functional subsystems using objective documentation:
- Physical Environment: Housing quality, infrastructure condition, environmental quality indicators
- Health and Social Services: Healthcare facilities, mental health resources, long-term care availability
- Economy: Employment patterns, business types, cost of living indicators, poverty rates
- Transportation and Safety: Public transit access, road conditions, crime statistics, emergency services
- Government and Politics: Governance structure, visible political activity, civic engagement
- Communication: Media outlets, information dissemination methods, social connectivity patterns
- Education: School types, educational attainment levels, library resources, early childhood programs
- Recreation: Parks, community centers, sports facilities, leisure activity venues
- Community Perceptions and Health Status (300–350 words)Synthesize findings regarding:
- Resident perceptions obtained through key informant interviews (minimum two residents or stakeholders)
- Your professional assessment of community health status and identified risks
- Alignment or discrepancy between resident perceptions and observational data
- Community Nursing Diagnoses (250–300 words)Develop two prioritized NANDA-I community nursing diagnoses that address:
- Health promotion or risk reduction needs identified through the assessment
- Clear related factors (etiological factors) and defining characteristics (signs/symptoms)
- Prioritization rationale using prevalence, severity, and community capacity criteria
- Measurable objectives for proposed interventions
Methodology Requirements
- Conduct the survey via vehicle or walking tour during daylight hours
- Document observations using field notes, photographs (where appropriate), and voice memos
- Interview minimum two community residents or key informants
- Obtain secondary demographic data from at least three credible sources (census data, county health rankings, local health department reports)
- Maintain strict objectivity: document only observable facts, not interpretations
Formatting Requirements
- Format: APA 7th Edition
- Font: 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Arial
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
- Margins: 2.54cm (1 inch) all sides
- Structure: Title page, introduction, four main sections (headings permitted), reference list
- Citations: Minimum of five peer-reviewed or government sources (2018–2026)
- Appendices: Optional community map, demographic data tables
- File Format: .docx submitted via Learning Management System
Marking Criteria and Standards
| Criteria | High Distinction (85–100%) | Distinction (75–84%) | Credit (65–74%) | Pass (50–64%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Core Assessment (20%) |
Comprehensive coverage of all four elements; seamless integration of secondary data; precise demographic statistics with proper citation | Complete coverage of all elements; good integration of secondary data; minor gaps in demographic detail | Adequate coverage; three of four elements complete; limited secondary data integration | Incomplete coverage; fewer than three elements addressed; missing demographic data |
| Subsystem Analysis (25%) |
All eight subsystems analyzed with specific objective observations; clear connections to health implications; excellent use of observational evidence | All eight subsystems addressed; mostly objective observations; good connection to health implications | Six to seven subsystems addressed; some subjective interpretations; limited health connections | Fewer than six subsystems addressed; predominantly subjective interpretations; minimal health analysis |
| Community Nursing Diagnoses (25%) |
Two NANDA-I diagnoses are correctly formatted with appropriate related factors and defining characteristics; prioritization is logically defended with epidemiological rationale; objectives are SMART | Two NANDA-I diagnoses are correctly formatted; prioritization is logical but rationale is limited; objectives are mostly measurable | Two diagnoses present but may include formatting errors or medical rather than nursing focus; prioritization lacks clear rationale | Incorrect use of NANDA-I taxonomy; diagnoses are medical rather than community-focused; no prioritization rationale |
| Data Integration and Analysis (20%) |
Seamless synthesis of primary and secondary data; excellent triangulation between observation, interview, and demographic sources; critical analysis of discrepancies | Good synthesis of primary and secondary data; some triangulation evident; limited analysis of discrepancies | Adequate data presentation; limited synthesis between sources; descriptive rather than analytical | Minimal data integration; heavy reliance on single source type; no analytical component |
| Academic Presentation (10%) |
Flawless APA formatting; sophisticated academic prose; seamless integration of citations; error-free mechanics | Minor APA inconsistencies; clear academic prose; appropriate citations; minimal mechanical errors | Noticeable APA errors; adequate prose; citations present but inconsistently applied; some mechanical errors | Significant APA deviations; unclear expression; missing or incorrect citations; frequent mechanical errors |