The purpose of this study was to conduct a multifaceted health assessment of the City of Overland to identify opportunities for a health related nursing intervention. A needs assessment of the City of Overland, Missouri was conducted by a group of five Registered Nurses as part of Community Nursing, one of the final courses in the Baccalaureate Completion Program at a Midwestern university. Multiple community core data were researched and analyzed, including relevant history, demographics, vital statistics, social and health services, financial characteristics, labor force characteristics, safety and transportation related issues, educational status and characteristics, and communications. Data collection methods included a Windshield Survey, comprehensive Internet research, and personal interviews. Following the review and analysis of all data collected, the nursing team identified a nursing diagnosis of potential for risk of developing respiratory illness, possibly related to environmental factors. The team developed a nursing educational intervention specific to respiratory /asthma related to environmental factors which was implemented in this community project in the Summer 2004. The intervention titled “Air Fair”, was held at a community medical center and offered an educational opportunity for the residents in the City of Overland to increase their awareness about risks from the environment along with offering information to reduce risks. The “Air Fair” was publicized through flyers distributed at key community locations along with a public announcement on the local community cable channel. The Air Fair was extremely well received and approximately 75 Overland residents participated along with physicians from the health center and a school nurse. This innovative community health assessment completed during two semesters of study is relevant to research in nursing because it introduces baccalaureate nursing students early in their careers to the nursing research process and benefits the community served.
Session #1222 - Undergraduate Submissions
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)