Nursing in a community environment is a complex and empowering work that requires a keen understanding of the principles of equality and collective action. Therefore, the provision of care in a community characterized by a multifaceted interaction between social and economic circumstances has to be based on an inclusive partnership model (Chilton, Bain, Clarridge, & Melling, 2013). This model presupposes a wider public health approach which is a hallmark of an excellent health care practitioner. Being a new person at community placement is an experience that is associated with considerable challenges that encompass physical, mental, emotional, and societal aspects of the delivery of community healthcare services. Therefore, it is essential to understand key details of the placement. This journal entry aims to outline upcoming week’s learning goals and objectives, which will help me to have a better grasp of a whole systems approach. The entry will also provide a specific schedule for the placement and discuss issues that have occurred during this week.
Learning Goals and Objectives
The main learning objective for the upcoming week is to become familiar with the community’s structure and culture in order to gain an insight into approaches and strategies that must be taken for improving its overall health. To this end, it is important to combine theoretical and conceptual knowledge of the provision of community healthcare with the facilitative support of my mentors. Another goal is to engage in communication, assessment, evaluation, and intervention planning for selected families.
Schedule for the Week
Table 1 presents the schedule for the upcoming week
Table 1. Activity Schedule for the Week.
Placement Issue
During this week, I have not encountered any issues associated with the placement. The quality of placement provision has been outstanding, which has provided me with a sufficient level of exposure to community service experience. The unwillingness of nursing staff to take extra responsibilities is often cited as a major issue during community placement programs (Betony & Yarwood, 2013). Fortunately, a nursing team of the hospital has been extremely supportive and provided me with invaluable insights into up-to-date practice. Even though frequent staff changes have introduced a minor element of disruption into the learning experience, I have been able to substantially improve my clinical expertise.
Objective Description
The underlying objective of the first week is to better understand principles of the community involvement. To this end, I have had to reassess my perceptions of community-oriented nursing while trying to stay abreast with the following elements of community healthcare delivery: ensuring healthy standards of living, developing sustainable communities, and emphasizing the role of illness prevention (Chilton et al., 2013). I understand that community health improvement practices must hinge on rigorous evidence and personal-professional boundaries; therefore, during this week I have tried to think as both an agent of change and a guest.
Conclusion
The journal entry has discussed learning goals and objectives for the upcoming week. The entry has also analyzed the attainment of this week’s objective and stressed the importance of maintaining professional boundaries during the delivery of community healthcare.
References
Betony, K, & Yarwood, J. (2013). What exposure do student nurses have to primary health care and community during the New Zealand undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing programme? Nurse Education Today, 33(1), 1136-1142.
Chilton, S., Bain, H., Clarridge, A., & Melling, K. (Eds.). (2013). A textbook of community nursing. Boca Raton, FL: Hodder Education.