Selection, Research, and Assessment
Throughout this course, students will be working on the Community Teaching Project. The project will include a community teaching presentation given during Topic 5. The audience for the presentation will be community members, rather than the staff at the community agency chosen or in-patient residents.
The Community Teaching Project has indirect care experience requirements. The “Indirect Care Experience Hours” form, located in Topic 1 resources, will be used to document the indirect care experience hours completed in the Community Teaching Project and presentation. As progress is made on the Community Teaching Project, update this form indicating the date(s) each section is completed. This form will be submitted in Topic 5.
In this topic, students will be selecting, researching, and assessing a nonprofit community setting in their community using one of the following four topics:
Primary prevention/health promotion
Secondary prevention/screening for a vulnerable population
Disaster planning
Environmental issues
The following are considered appropriate nonprofit community organization settings:
Public health clinic
Community health center
University/school health center
Religious community (i.e., local church)
Community center (i.e., YMCA)
Adult/childcare center
Youth development organization (i.e., 4-H, scout troops, Boys and Girls Clubs, etc.)
Senior centers
Food pantries (St. Mary’s Food bank, St. Vincent De Paul, etc.)
Community shelters (i.e., women’s shelter, women and children’s shelter, or homeless shelters)
Review the objectives and measures describes on the “Healthy People 2030” website, listed in the Topic 1 Resources, to assist in selecting a topic for the project.
This guide outlines the key steps for selecting, researching, and assessing a nonprofit community setting for your Community Teaching Project.
1. Topic Selection:
Choose one of the four topics:
Primary prevention/health promotion: Focus on promoting healthy behaviors and preventing disease.
Secondary prevention/screening for a vulnerable population: Target a specific group at risk for a disease and offer screenings or early detection services.
Disaster planning: Educate the community on preparing for and responding to disasters.
Environmental issues: Focus on environmental health risks and how to mitigate them.
Consult Healthy People 2030: Use the objectives and measures on the Healthy People 2030 website to guide your topic selection. Identify a topic that aligns with their goals and addresses a pressing health concern within your community.
Consider your interests: Choose a topic that excites you and aligns with your personal and professional interests.
2. Community Setting Selection:
Choose a relevant nonprofit organization: Select an organization that directly aligns with your chosen topic and provides a suitable setting for your teaching project.
Consider these factors:
Mission and Services: Does the organization’s mission and services directly relate to your chosen topic?
Target Population: Does the organization serve a population group relevant to your project?
Accessibility: Is the organization accessible to you and your chosen audience?
Collaboration Opportunities: Does the organization offer opportunities for partnership and collaboration?
3. Research and Assessment:
Gather information about the organization:
Website: Explore the organization’s website for information about their mission, programs, services, target population, and impact.
Contact Information: Contact the organization to request additional information, arrange a site visit, and schedule a meeting with staff.
Community Resources: Search for community resources, news articles, and reports about the organization to gain a comprehensive understanding of their work.
Assess the organization’s needs:
Health Literacy: What is the health literacy level of the target population?
Knowledge Gaps: Are there specific health concerns or knowledge gaps among the target population related to your chosen topic?
Available Resources: What resources are available within the organization to support your teaching project?
4. Develop a Teaching Plan:
Identify Learning Objectives: Clearly define what you want your audience to learn from your presentation.
Select Teaching Strategies: Determine the most effective teaching methods for your audience, considering their learning styles and preferences.
Develop Materials: Create engaging and informative teaching materials, such as presentations, handouts, or interactive activities.
Practice your presentation: Rehearse your presentation and receive feedback from peers or mentors to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
5. Documentation:
Complete the “Indirect Care Experience Hours” form: As you progress through the steps of selecting, researching, and assessing your community setting, update the form to document your completed hours.
Remember: This project offers a valuable opportunity to apply your nursing knowledge and skills to improve the health of your community. Choose a project that excites you and allows you to make a positive impact.