Assess the health care needs of a selected community by completing an environmental analysis and a virtual windshield survey. Summarize the results of your assessment in a 2-3 page executive summary.

Introduction

Health care must be evidence-based, effective, efficient, and affordable; it must provide resources that meet the needs of the community. Nurse leaders must understand and thoroughly evaluate the environment to enable the efficient and equitable allocation of resources. A useful tool for this type of assessment is commonly called a windshield survey. Windshield surveys are what you might expect from the name. They are a way of gathering information about specific aspects of a community while driving around, such as the condition of roads, buildings, and housing.

This assessment provides an opportunity to examine the prevailing health conditions and social determinants of health in a community by completing an environmental analysis and a virtual windshield survey based on communities within the Vila Health system. Although Vila Health is a virtual lab, the communities represented in this simulation are real, enabling you to conduct an actual community health assessment.

Preparation

Executive leaders at Vila Health have asked you to provide them with your assessment of the health conditions in one of the communities served by the Vila Health system. Knowing that a windshield survey is needed to validate any underlying assumptions about the needs of the community and inform evidence-based decision making and strategic planning, you have decided to conduct a first-hand exploration of the community, followed up by an environmental analysis. An environmental analysis examines the factors that can influence the performance of a health care organization, which is important in a rapidly changing health care environment.

To prepare for the assessment, you are encouraged to begin thinking about how an environmental analysis and windshield survey contribute to assessing community health care needs. In addition, you may wish to:

• Review the assessment requirements and scoring guide to ensure that you understand the work you will be asked to complete.
• Review Guiding Questions: Assessing Community Health Care Needs [DOCX], which includes questions to consider and additional guidance on how to successfully complete the assessment.

The following resource is required to complete the assessment.

• Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey.

Vila Health is a virtual environment that simulates a real-world health care system. In the various Vila Health scenarios, you will apply professional strategies, practice skills, and build competencies that you can apply to your coursework and in your career. The information you gather in this scenario will help you to complete the assessment.

TEMPLATES

Use this template for your community health assessment.

• Community Health Assessment Template [DOCX].

Requirements

Complete this assessment in two steps:

1. If you have not already done so, complete the Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey simulation.
2. Write an executive summary of your community health assessment, based on your windshield survey and environmental analysis.

The community health assessment requirements outlined below, correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide, so be sure to address each point. Read the performance-level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed. The Guiding Questions: Assessing Community Health Care Needs document provides additional considerations that may be helpful in completing your assessment. In addition, be sure to note the requirements below for document format and length and for citing supporting evidence.

• Assess, via a windshield survey, the general condition and needs of a community from a public health perspective.
• Analyze the environmental factors affecting population health in a community.
• Identify the social determinants of health in a community.
• Summarize windshield survey and environmental analysis findings for executive leaders.
• Write clearly and concisely in a logically coherent and appropriate form and style.
• Support findings and conclusions with relevant and credible evidence.

Document Format and Length

• Use the Community Health Assessment Template. This APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] can help you in writing and formatting your assessment. If you would like to use a different worksheet for your community health assessment, obtain prior approval from faculty.
• The executive summary portion of your survey and analysis should be 2–3 pages in length.
• Be sure to apply correct APA formatting to all source citations and references.

Supporting Evidence

Cite 3–5 credible sources from peer-reviewed journals or professional industry publications to support your executive summary.

Additional Requirements

Proofread your executive summary before you submit it, to minimize errors that could distract readers and make it more difficult for them to focus on the substance of your assessment.

Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save your community health assessment to your ePortfolio.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Identify the challenges and opportunities facing health care.
  • Assess, via a windshield survey, the general condition and needs of a community from a public health perspective.
  • Analyze the environmental factors affecting population health in a community.
  • Identify the social determinants of health in a community.
• Competency 4: Develop proactive strategies to change the culture of the organization by incorporating evidence-based practices.
  • Summarize windshield survey and environmental analysis findings for executive leaders.
• Competency 5: Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, in an appropriate form and style consistent with applicable organizational, professional, and scholarly standards.
  • Write clearly and concisely in a logically coherent and appropriate form and style.
  • Support assertions, arguments, propositions, and conclusions with relevant and credible evidence.

 

Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey

Effective health care leadership relies on assessments based on reliable information. One key tool is the windshield survey —with a practiced eye, one can make valuable judgments about the health conditions of a community while performing a mobile survey.

In this simulation, you will conduct a virtual windshield survey in either a rural or an urban environment. You will also be provided with resources to help you begin the environmental analysis of one of the two communities. You will use the information you gather to inform your proposal for changes to the health care system.

RURAL:

Shopping Plaza

310 El Dorado Dr.

While economic conditions are overall good in Jordan, there are vacancies and empty buildings both downtown and in outlying shopping areas.

 

Scott County Library – Jordan

275 Creek Ln. S.

The Jordan public library is open four days a week (Mon & Wed 1-8; Tue & Thur 10 – 5) from May to September and five days (Saturday 10 – 2) from September to May.

 

St. Francis Health Services

265 Creek Ln. S.

St. Francis Health Services is aligned with Allina Health and Park Nicollet Health Services, two of the largest health providers in the region. The facility provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care.

 

River Valley Education Center

100 Hope Ave.

Provides students in grades 5-8 with academic and social skills instruction. These students may have average or above-average learning potential but have been unsuccessful in other special education settings.

 

Jordan High School

600 Sunset Dr.

Jordan High School has a student population of approximately 540 students. The school offers athletics, arts programs, and academic extra-curricular activities. Students can also attend vocational classes through Southwest Metro Educational Cooperative where they can earn credit at vocational schools and North Hennepin Community College.

 

Jordan Middle School

500 Sunset Dr.

The Jordan public schools offer a student and family friendly single campus. The renovated middle school opened in 2015 and is adjacent to the Jordan Community Education and Recreation Center (CERC).

 

Jordan Community Education and Recreation Center

500 Sunset Dr.

Completed in January 2016, the new Community Education and Recreation Center includes a 3-gym station with a multipurpose floor, an elevated walking track, a fitness center, community locker rooms, and a community room with kitchenette.

 

Residential Area

Timber Ridge Court, just north of Sunset

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Located near the High School, this neighborhood is characterized by large lots, well maintained homes, and an abundance of recreational vehicles and boats.

 

Jordan Elementary School

815 Sunset Dr.

Jordan Elementary School offers programs and specialists in Special Ed, ESL, Title One services, Gifted and Talented, and a variety of other interventions and enrichment programs. Technology is embedded in the daily curriculum in order to encourage the development of 21st century learning skills.

 

Oak Terrace Senior Living

622 Aberdeen Ave.

Oak Terrace Senior Living of Jordan is a retirement community that offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.

URBAN:

 

Cave Vin

5555 Xerxes Ave. S.

An upscale neighborhood restaurant, Cavé Vin is a family owned local restaurant with a French and new-American menu.

 

Armatage Elementary School

2501 W. 56th St.

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Armatage Montessori School is a public magnet in Southwest Minneapolis. The Montessori education method is designed to offer child-centered environment that encourages children’s natural learning impulses.

 

Armatage Community Center

2500 W. 57th St.

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The Armatage Community Center participates in the Minneapolis Summer Meal Program for youth 18 and under.

Grading Rubric:

1-  Assess, via a windshield survey, the general condition and needs of a community from a public health perspective. 

Passing Grade:  Assesses, via a windshield survey, the general condition and needs of a community from a public health perspective. Specifies applicable safety concerns and the limitations of the survey. 

2-  Analyze the environmental factors affecting population health in a community. 

Passing Grade:  Analyzes the environmental factors affecting population health in a community. Clearly articulates key health issues, opportunities, and threats. Conclusions are well-supported by credible evidence. 

3-  Identify the social determinants of health in a community. 

Passing Grade:  Identifies the social determinants of health in a community. Draws well-reasoned conclusions from credible evidence and articulates underlying assumptions and uncertainties. 

4-  Summarize windshield survey and environmental analysis findings for executive leaders. 

Passing Grade:  Summarizes environmental analysis and survey findings for executive leaders. Information is detailed, accurate, and logically organized. Provides insightful lessons learned. 

5-  Write clearly and concisely in a logically coherent and appropriate form and style. 

Passing Grade:  Writes clearly and concisely in a logically coherent and appropriate form and style. Main points, ideas, arguments, or propositions are well-developed and engaging. Adheres to all applicable disciplinary and scholarly writing standards and conventions. 

6-  Support assertions, arguments, propositions, and conclusions with relevant and credible evidence. 

Passing Grade:  Supports assertions, arguments, propositions, and conclusions with relevant, credible, and convincing evidence. Skillfully combines error-free source citations with a perceptive and accurate synthesis of the evidence. 

 

Work with your preceptor to assess the organization for required resources needed for the strategic plan if the change proposal were to be implemented. Review your strategic plan and determine what resources would be needed if the change proposal were to be implemented. Write a list of at least four resources you will need in order to implement your change proposal.

The assignment will be used to develop a written implementation plan.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

I need these questions answered in 200 words each. 

 

                                                                                Topic 2 

DQ 1

Learners in the DNP program are required to develop a Direct Practice Improvement (DPI) Project. Describe your proposed practice site and a potential patient practice problem that you are interested in exploring for your project. Explain why this is a valid topic for your practice site. How do you believe this project will contribute to the body of knowledge in your field?

DQ 2

Learners are expected to demonstrate scholarly writing throughout the program in all written work (discussion forum, assignments, final project). Reflect on writing your Scholarly Writing Using Research paper and consider which of the standards of scholarly writing are most challenging for you:

Identifying appropriate evidence for support (peer-reviewed and scholarly sources).

Writing in one’s own words and properly citing authors for ideas, findings, etc.

Writing in APA style.

Describe which is most challenging for you and why. What tools or sites did you use to address the challenges? What strategies will you use to become more proficient? (This response does not require research support.)

You are expected to use the principles of scholarly writing throughout the program without further prompting. Refer to the writing resources in the GCU Library and Student Success Center for ongoing assistance.?

                                                                          Topic 3 

DQ 1

Refer to the “Levels of Evidence in Research” document to assist in this discussion question.

Explain why research articles that fail to meet these criteria cannot be used to provide evidence for the DPI Project. Using these criteria, find two primary research articles for your proposed patient practice problem and explain why these are considered primary research articles and why they demonstrate support for your proposed nursing practice problem. Post the links with your references. 

DQ 2

When writing in APA style, citations and references are used to give credit to the respective authors for their ideas or work. It is also preferred that ideas or work are summarized instead of using a direct quote to present the information. Explain what the difference is between a citation and reference, how using these properly will help you avoid the consequences of plagiarizing, and why a summary is preferred. How can LopesWrite help ensure you are effectively summarizing another author’s work (versus direct quotes)?

As an example, summarize and cite information from a primary research article that demonstrates support for your proposed intervention for your selected practice problem (three or four sentences).

                                                                     Topic 4 

DQ 1

In your own words, define critical thinking and explain why it is an important to you as a learner proposing a quality improvement project (DPI project) for your practice site. Discuss three critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating and interpreting primary quantitative research for a DPI Project.

DQ 2

Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research. Explain why more quantitative research articles are required for support for the DPI Project as compared to qualitative research articles. Conduct a search in the GCU Library using the nursing databases for a primary quantitative article that provides support for your proposed intervention and briefly explain how the research provides evidence that the intervention would improve the problem at your practice site.

                                                                   Topic 5 

DQ 1

In your own words, describe personal and research bias and explain why bias is one of the main reasons for poor validity in research outcomes. How could a quality improvement project (DPI Project) be affected if the research used had bias? How would the site be affected? Using one of the primary research articles you selected for you PICOT-D, discuss potential bias that could have occurred and how this affects the research outcomes and ultimately the validity of the studies. Is it still viable research for your DPI Project?

DQ 2

Explain the difference between statistical significance and clinical significance. Provide an example for each. How do statistical significance and clinical significance apply to a quality improvement initiative, like your future DPI Project?

                                                                      Topic 6 

DQ 1

Review the “Literature Evaluation Table.”

Explain how the criteria on this table helps you evaluate the quality of a primary quantitative research article to determine if it will support a practice improvement project (DPI Project). Which criterion is most helpful in identifying a qualifying research article and why? How does the “Levels of Evidence in Research” chart support your search and the use of this table?

                                                             Topic 7 

DQ 1

A personal worldview is based on the personal philosophy (beliefs, concepts, or ideas about the world) that one creates, ether consciously or unconsciously. These influence how one sees and interacts with the world. Reflect on the principles that have created your worldview. Were these principles developed consciously or unconsciously? Do they help or hinder? What are the main principles you use?

Based on your self-reflection, discuss two core principles from your personal philosophy and explain how they have shaped your worldview. How do these impact your ability to think critically? How does “open-mindedness” influence nursing care when caring for patients who do not share your personal philosophy or worldview? How do you think others experience you based on the actions or attitude derived from your personal philosophy/worldview? (This response does not require research support.)?

DQ 2

Discuss two principles your personal worldview has in common with GCU’s Christian worldview. Explain how these common principles align with the mission and vision from your practice site and how they fundamentally serve to promote patient care. (This response does not require research support.)

                                                                    Topic 8 

DQ 1

Reflect on your different experiences in this course, from learning new tools to having to think critically to learning how to accept feedback. Discuss which aspects were most challenging and most rewarding. Based on your experience, what doctoral strategies helped you navigate these new experiences successfully (or could help you in the future)? How could you use these strategies as a leader at a local level or within the broader health care system to advocate for change?

DQ 2

Sometimes topic ideas for a PICOT-D/DPI Project are intriguing, but not completely feasible for one reason or another. Based on the instructor feedback you have received, explain why you have, or do not have, a feasible topic for your PICOT-D. What changes will you need to make in order to have a feasible topic for your PICOT-D? If it is not feasible, what other topics are you considering?                                                                 

                                                            

 

                                                        RESOURCES

Academic Writer Tutorial: Basics of Seventh Edition APA Style

View the “Academic Writer Tutorial: Basics of Seventh Edition APA Style” tutorial, located on the American Psychological Association (APA) website. You will use this resource throughout the course for assignments and discussions.

https://extras.apa.org/apastyle/basics-7e/?_ga=2.128488908.1153078724.1596866222-1012012210.1596866222#/

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Utilize the resources on the “Doctor of Nursing Practice” page, located on the GCU Library, to assist in completing your assignments. https://libguides.gcu.edu/DNP

The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice

Familiarize yourself with the following resource. The essentials discussed in it will be reviewed periodically throughout your DNP program.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

DNP Institutional Review Board (IRB) Project Assessment Tool

Review the “DNP Institutional Review Board (IRB) Project Assessment Tool,” located in the DC Network.

You will use this resource to guide the focus of your Direct Practice Improvement (DPI) Project. The focus of the DPI Project in the GCU DNP Program is the application of strong evidence-based research to improve population/patient outcomes. As such, learners are highly encouraged to select a project topic that is anchored in either quality improvement (QI). This focus will result in the most actionable outcomes (i.e., “real-time” results). Learners need to be cautious of the scope and target population for their project or it may result in unforeseen delays in IRB

Learner Dissertation Page

All DNP learners are required to set up their own Learner Dissertation Page (LDP) housed in the DC Network. Throughout the program, learners will upload all completed assignments (including all practicum and practice immersion materials/assignments/hours) to their LDP to ensure availability for future use. This responsibility is in addition to the requirement of submitting assignments to dropbox in the LMS. This space will allow learners and the DPI committee, including faculty members, chair (assigned in DNP-955A), and the mentor/content expert, to communicate regarding the DPI Project privately. Learners are required to keep the following in their LDP under the “Portfolio” fol

The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations

Read:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2015). Doctor of nursing practice: Current issues and clarifying recommendations.

This document will be reviewed periodically throughout the DNP Program.

https://www.pncb.org/sites/default/files/2017-02/AACN_DNP_Recommendations.pdf

DNP Direct Practice Improvement Project Recommendations

Introduction

Online classroom discussion is a vital learning activity that enhances writing, critical thinking, and scholarly development. These skills establish the foundation for self-reflection and unbiased consideration of other perspectives that enhances the long-term development of the doctoral learner.

Successful doctoral learners engage faculty and colleagues in substantive conversations by reflecting on others’ perspectives while articulating their own views. More importantly, doctoral learners demonstrate the disposition to critically and reflectively consider new information, facts, and perspectives in the enhancement of their own knowledge and de

Doctor of Nursing Orientation Webinar

Attend the live “Doctor of Nursing Webinar.” Information on the webinar, and the registration link, are located in the DC Network under the DNP Calendar.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Doctoral Community Getting Started Guide

Read the “Doctor of Nursing Practice – Doctoral Community Getting Started Guide,” located in the DNP PI Workspace section of the DC Network.

This resource includes essential information about developing your online presence in the program.

Optional: Grammarly

For additional information, the following is recommended:

Grammarly is an online writing assistance app that reviews written submissions and suggests context-specific corrections for grammar, spelling, word usage, wordiness, style, punctuation, and plagiarism. The reasoning for each suggested correction is provided, allowing users to make informed decisions about how to correct writing issues.

Grammarly can be installed as free browser extension, but Grammarly Premium requires an annual subscription. This subscription is not a GCU-required purchase, but it is strongly recommended to DNP learners.

https://www.grammarly.com/premium

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials: A New Model for Advanced Practice Nursing

Zaccagnini, M. E., & Pechacek, J. M. (2021). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing (4th ed.). Jones and Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13: 97811284079708

Martha is a 65-year-old woman who recently retired from her job as an administrative assistant at a local hospital. Her medical history is significant for hypertension, which has been controlled for years with hydrochlorothiazide. She reports that lately she is having a lot of trouble sleeping, she occasionally feels like she has a “racing heartbeat,” and she is losing her appetite. She emphasizes that she is not hungry like she used to be. The only significant change that has occurred lately in her life is that her 87-year-old mother moved into her home a few years ago. Mom had always been healthy, but she fell down a flight of stairs and broke her hip. Her recovery was a difficult one, as she has lost a lot of mobility and independence and needs to rely on her daughter for assistance with activities of daily living. Martha says it is not the retirement she dreamed about, but she is an only child and is happy to care for her mother. Mom wakes up early in the morning, likes to bathe every day, and has always eaten 5 small meals daily. Martha has to put a lot of time into caring for her mother, so it is almost a “blessing” that Martha is sleeping and eating less. She is worried about her own health though and wants to know why, at her age, she suddenly needs less sleep.