Generalist Nursing Practice: Generalist nursing practice organizes the interdisciplinary health care needs of diverse populations across the lifespan toward achieving the goal of healthy individuals, families, groups and communities (FSU, 2012). Nursing requires all members of healthcare to work collaboratively in order to successfully care for and treat the wide array of disease and co-morbidities that patients are faced with. Our patients come from a wide variety of different cultures and backgrounds, with varying ages and ethnicities. In order to optimize the care we give, it is so important to learn how best to serve our patients and the communities where they live. This is not a "one size fits all" approach. It requires the nursing leader to learn how best to work with the community and families in the most therapeutic and meaningful way for the common goal of health promotion and disease prevention.
The first example that demonstrates generalist nursing practice was my work in Nurs 340, looking at Mason County, Michigan. I worked collaboratively with a group to identify this community at risk for both an aging and rural population, and also a childhood obesity rate higher than the national average. Through this assignment we reviewed data, performed a community assessment, identified community resources, and developed a nursing diagnosis regarding health related opportunities in Mason County. Through our research, we were able to develop goals to help improve outcomes within the community to help children maintain healthy weights, and to provide education. Through this experience I was able to better understand the varying dynamics influencing health in communities across the lifespan.
Mason County Community Project
community_plan_of_care_project-mason_county_group_scholarly_presentation_final.ppt
The second example is a windshield survey that I had done on the City of Essexville, Michigan. Windshield surveys are a subjective way of conducting an assessment of the community in which one lives to better understand and appreciate community strengths, deficits, resources, and needs (Harkness & DeMarco, 2016, p. 193). During the community assessment, observations are made of the level of economic development through physical environment, education systems, safety and transportation, health and social services, communication, and recreation (Harkness & DeMarco, 2016, p. 192). Through this survey I was able to learn ways to properly assess both barriers, and also community strengths and resources. This gave me insight as to how to properly approach a community project, and the importance of this initial assessment prior to any nursing or community service provided.
Windshield survey
windshieldsurvey.docx
The third example that demonstrates my work under generalist nursing practice is the group project called "Keep Moving-Families Choosing Healthy Lifestyles." For this project we looked at the prevalence of childhood obesity and implemented a program to improve outcomes in children. The Program was titled "Keep Moving" and involved creating a curriculum, job descriptions for the program, a marketing and advertisement plan, and a budget. The goals and objectives for the program were to improve the health and fitness of children while promoting positive attitudes towards physical activity and healthy nutrition. This project highlighted the many requirements that go into a community program. Through this experience, I will be better prepared to work collaboratively with others to be able to provide programs to communities.
OSP Group Presentation
keep_moving_final_ppt_presentation_11.17_on_12.3.20165.pptx
Through these courses and assignments, I gained a better understanding of the challenges faced by many diverse populations. I learned that it is imperative to understand the population you are caring for, and through this knowledge and understanding we will be successful at appropriately providing care that can lead to healthier patients and communities. The nursing professional must be skillful at their assessment. Tools like windshield surveys can be used to help assess strengths and also weaknesses/barriers in our patients. By building on patient's strengths we are able to empower them to continue to make healthy choices. Through this experience I learned the importance creating interesting and engaging educational materials and how to work on a multidisciplinary team that requires multiple team members to achieve meaningful results. I also gained an appreciation for the unique challenges these communities are faced with and the value of networking with community agencies for the common goal of improving outcomes and keeping these communities healthy.
References
Ferris State University. (2011, January 17). BSN program outcomes [nursing]. Retrieved from http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/BSN-program-outcomes.htm
Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. F. (2016). Community and public health nursing evidence for practice(2nd ed.). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Kaiser, K. L., Carter, K. F., O’Hare, P. A., & Callister, L. C. (2002). Making connections: Linking generalist and specialist essentials in baccalaureate community/public health nursing education and practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 18, 47-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/jpnu.2002.31631
The first example that demonstrates generalist nursing practice was my work in Nurs 340, looking at Mason County, Michigan. I worked collaboratively with a group to identify this community at risk for both an aging and rural population, and also a childhood obesity rate higher than the national average. Through this assignment we reviewed data, performed a community assessment, identified community resources, and developed a nursing diagnosis regarding health related opportunities in Mason County. Through our research, we were able to develop goals to help improve outcomes within the community to help children maintain healthy weights, and to provide education. Through this experience I was able to better understand the varying dynamics influencing health in communities across the lifespan.
Mason County Community Project
community_plan_of_care_project-mason_county_group_scholarly_presentation_final.ppt
The second example is a windshield survey that I had done on the City of Essexville, Michigan. Windshield surveys are a subjective way of conducting an assessment of the community in which one lives to better understand and appreciate community strengths, deficits, resources, and needs (Harkness & DeMarco, 2016, p. 193). During the community assessment, observations are made of the level of economic development through physical environment, education systems, safety and transportation, health and social services, communication, and recreation (Harkness & DeMarco, 2016, p. 192). Through this survey I was able to learn ways to properly assess both barriers, and also community strengths and resources. This gave me insight as to how to properly approach a community project, and the importance of this initial assessment prior to any nursing or community service provided.
Windshield survey
windshieldsurvey.docx
The third example that demonstrates my work under generalist nursing practice is the group project called "Keep Moving-Families Choosing Healthy Lifestyles." For this project we looked at the prevalence of childhood obesity and implemented a program to improve outcomes in children. The Program was titled "Keep Moving" and involved creating a curriculum, job descriptions for the program, a marketing and advertisement plan, and a budget. The goals and objectives for the program were to improve the health and fitness of children while promoting positive attitudes towards physical activity and healthy nutrition. This project highlighted the many requirements that go into a community program. Through this experience, I will be better prepared to work collaboratively with others to be able to provide programs to communities.
OSP Group Presentation
keep_moving_final_ppt_presentation_11.17_on_12.3.20165.pptx
Through these courses and assignments, I gained a better understanding of the challenges faced by many diverse populations. I learned that it is imperative to understand the population you are caring for, and through this knowledge and understanding we will be successful at appropriately providing care that can lead to healthier patients and communities. The nursing professional must be skillful at their assessment. Tools like windshield surveys can be used to help assess strengths and also weaknesses/barriers in our patients. By building on patient's strengths we are able to empower them to continue to make healthy choices. Through this experience I learned the importance creating interesting and engaging educational materials and how to work on a multidisciplinary team that requires multiple team members to achieve meaningful results. I also gained an appreciation for the unique challenges these communities are faced with and the value of networking with community agencies for the common goal of improving outcomes and keeping these communities healthy.
References
Ferris State University. (2011, January 17). BSN program outcomes [nursing]. Retrieved from http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/BSN-program-outcomes.htm
Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. F. (2016). Community and public health nursing evidence for practice(2nd ed.). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Kaiser, K. L., Carter, K. F., O’Hare, P. A., & Callister, L. C. (2002). Making connections: Linking generalist and specialist essentials in baccalaureate community/public health nursing education and practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 18, 47-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/jpnu.2002.31631