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Week 2: Epidemiology Paper

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Write a paper (2,000-2,500 words) in which you apply the concepts of epidemiology and nursing research to a communicable disease. Refer to "Communicable Disease Chain," "Chain of Infection," and the CDC website for assistance when completing this assignment.

Communicable Disease Selection

  1. Chickenpox

  2. Tuberculosis

  3. Influenza

  4. Mononucleosis

  5. Hepatitis B

  6. HIV

  7. Ebola

  8. Measles

  9. Polio

  10. Influenza

Epidemiology Paper Requirements

  1. Describe the chosen communicable disease, including causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, complications, treatment, and the demographic of interest (mortality, morbidity, incidence, and prevalence). Is this a reportable disease? If so, provide details about reporting time, whom to report to, etc.

  2. Describe the social determinants of health and explain how those factors contribute to the development of this disease.

  3. Discuss the epidemiologic triangle as it relates to the communicable disease you have selected. Include the host factors, agent factors (presence or absence), and environmental factors. Are there any special considerations or notifications for the community, schools, or general population?

  4. Explain the role of the community health nurse (case finding, reporting, data collection, data analysis, and follow-up) and why demographic data are necessary to the health of the community.

  5. Identify at least one national agency or organization that addresses the communicable disease chosen and describe how the organizations contribute to resolving or reducing the impact of disease.

  6. Discuss a global implication of the disease. How is this addressed in other countries or cultures? Is this disease endemic to a particular area? Provide an example.

Week 3: Benchmark - Community Teaching Plan: Community Teaching Work Plan Proposal

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The benchmark assesses the following competency:

4.2 Communicate therapeutically with patients.

The RN to BSN program at Grand Canyon University meets the requirements for clinical competencies as defined by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), using nontraditional experiences for practicing nurses. These experiences come in the form of direct and indirect care experiences in which licensed nursing students engage in learning within the context of their hospital organization, specific care discipline, and local communities.

Note:  The teaching plan proposal developed in this assignment will be used to develop your Community Teaching Plan: Community Presentation due in Topic 5. You are strongly encouraged to begin working on your presentation once you have received and submitted this proposal.

Select one of the following as the focus for the teaching plan:

  1. Primary Prevention/Health Promotion

  2. Secondary Prevention/Screenings for a Vulnerable Population

  3. Bioterrorism/Disaster

  4. Environmental Issues

Week 4: Community Assessment and Analysis Presentation

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This assignment consists of both an interview and a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation.

Assessment/Interview

Select a community of interest in your region. Perform a physical assessment of the community.

  1. Perform a direct assessment of a community of interest using the "Functional Health Patterns Community Assessment Guide."

  2. Interview a community health and public health provider regarding that person's role and experiences within the community.

Interview Guidelines

Interviews can take place in-person, by phone, or by Skype.

Develop interview questions to gather information about the role of the provider in the community and the health issues faced by the chosen community.

Complete the "Provider Interview Acknowledgement Form" prior to conducting the interview. Submit this document separately in its respective drop box.

Compile key findings from the interview, including the interview questions used, and submit these with the presentation.

PowerPoint Presentation

Create a PowerPoint presentation of 15-20 slides (slide count does not include title and references slide) describing the chosen community interest.

Include the following in your presentation:

  1. Description of community and community boundaries: the people and the geographic, geopolitical, financial, educational level; ethnic and phenomenological features of the community, as well as types of social interactions; common goals and interests; and barriers, and challenges, including any identified social determinates of health.

  2. Summary of community assessment: (a) funding sources and (b) partnerships.

  3. Summary of interview with community health/public health provider.

  4. Identification of an issue that is lacking or an opportunity for health promotion.

  5. A conclusion summarizing your key findings and a discussion of your impressions of the general health of the community.

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Week 4 Assignment - Benchmark Policy Brief 

 

The benchmark assesses the following competencies:

1.4 Participate in health care policy development to influence nursing practice and health care.

Research public health issues on the "Climate Change" or "Topics and Issues" pages of the American Public Health Association (APHA) website. Investigate a public health issue related to an environmental issue within the U.S. health care delivery system and examine its effect on a specific population.

Write a 750-1,000-word policy brief that summarizes the issue, explains the effect on the population, and proposes a solution to the issue.

Follow this outline when writing the policy brief:

  1. Describe the policy health issue. Include the following information: (a) what population is affected, (b) at what level does it occur (local, state, or national), and (c) evidence about the issues supported by resources.

  2. Create a problem statement.

  3. Provide suggestions for addressing the health issue caused by the current policy. Describe what steps are required to initiate policy change. Include necessary stakeholders (government officials, administrator) and budget or funding considerations, if applicable.

  4. Discuss the impact on the health care delivery system.

Include three peer-reviewed sources and two other sources to support the policy brief.

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Week 5: Benchmark - Community Teaching Plan: Community Presentation

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The benchmark assesses the following competencies:

3.3 Provide individualized education to diverse patient populations in a variety of health care settings.

The RN to BSN program at Grand Canyon University meets the requirements for clinical competencies as defined by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), using nontraditional experiences for practicing nurses. These experiences come in the form of direct and indirect care experiences in which licensed nursing students engage in learning within the context of their hospital organization, specific care discipline, and local communities.

Based on the feedback offered by the provider, identify the best approach for teaching. Prepare a presentation based on the Teaching Work Plan and present the information to your community.

Options for Delivery

Select one of the following options for delivery and prepare the applicable presentation:

  1. PowerPoint presentation – no more than 30 minutes

  2. Pamphlet presentation – 1 to 2 pages

  3. Poster presentation

Selection of Community Setting

These are considered appropriate community settings. Choose one of the following:

  1. Public health clinic

  2. Community health center

  3. Long-term care facility

  4. Transitional care facility

  5. Home health center

  6. University/School health center

  7. Church community

  8. Adult/Child care center

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Week 5 Assignment: Community Teaching Plan: Teaching Experience Paper

 

The RN to BSN program at Grand Canyon University meets the requirements for clinical competencies as defined by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), using nontraditional experiences for practicing nurses. These experiences come in the form of direct and indirect care experiences in which licensed nursing students engage in learning within the context of their hospital organization, specific care discipline, and local communities.

Note: This is an individual assignment. In 1,500-2,000 words, describe the teaching experience and discuss your observations. The written portion of this assignment should include:

  1. Summary of teaching plan

  2. Epidemiological rationale for topic

  3. Evaluation of teaching experience

  4. Community response to teaching

  5. Areas of strengths and areas of improvement

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

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