Nursing diagnosis for community health assessment windshield survey
NURS 410: Community Health Nursing
Assessment Task 1: Windshield Survey and Community Analysis
Course Code: NURS 410
Course Title: Community Health Nursing
Assessment Type: Written Community Assessment Report
Word Count: 1,250–1,500 words
Weighting: 30% of final grade
Due Date: Week 3, Day 7 (Sunday 11:59 PM)
Task Overview
Conduct a systematic windshield survey of an assigned community and compose an academic report analyzing the community’s health profile. This assessment evaluates your ability to apply the Community-as-Partner model, identify social determinants of health, and prioritize community nursing diagnoses based on objective observational data and secondary demographic analysis.
Learning Objectives
- Execute a comprehensive windshield survey using systematic observational methods
- Apply the Community-as-Partner model to assess community strengths, capacities, and gaps
- Analyze demographic and epidemiological data to identify population health risks
- Formulate NANDA-I community nursing diagnoses based on assessment findings
- Propose evidence-based health promotion interventions aligned with identified priorities
Task Description
Compose a 1,250–1,500-word academic report based on your windshield survey of an assigned community. Your submission must address the following components:
- Community Core Assessment (300–350 words)
Document the community’s essential characteristics:
- History: Founding period, development phases, significant historical events shaping current demographics
- Demographics: Population size, age distribution, racial/ethnic composition, household structures
- Ethnicity and Culture: Predominant cultural groups, religious institutions, visible cultural markers
- Values and Beliefs: Observable community priorities (e.g., environmental stewardship, education, safety)
Support subjective observations with secondary data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, or county health departments.
- Community Subsystems Analysis (400–450 words)
Evaluate eight functional subsystems using objective documentation:
- Physical Environment: Housing quality, infrastructure condition, environmental quality indicators
- Health and Social Services: Healthcare facilities, mental health resources, long-term care availability
- Economy: Employment patterns, business types, cost of living indicators, poverty rates
- Transportation and Safety: Public transit access, road conditions, crime statistics, emergency services
- Government and Politics: Governance structure, visible political activity, civic engagement
- Communication: Media outlets, information dissemination methods, social connectivity patterns
- Education: School types, educational attainment levels, library resources, early childhood programs
- Recreation: Parks, community centers, sports facilities, leisure activity venues
- Community Perceptions and Health Status (300–350 words)
Synthesize findings regarding:
- Resident perceptions obtained through key informant interviews (minimum two residents or stakeholders)
- Your professional assessment of community health status and identified risks
- Alignment or discrepancy between resident perceptions and observational data
- Community Nursing Diagnoses (250–300 words)
Develop two prioritized NANDA-I community nursing diagnoses that address:
- Health promotion or risk reduction needs identified through the assessment
- Clear related factors (etiological factors) and defining characteristics (signs/symptoms)
- Prioritization rationale using prevalence, severity, and community capacity criteria
- Measurable objectives for proposed interventions
Methodology Requirements
- Conduct the survey via vehicle or walking tour during daylight hours
- Document observations using field notes, photographs (where appropriate), and voice memos
- Interview minimum two community residents or key informants
- Obtain secondary demographic data from at least three credible sources (census data, county health rankings, local health department reports)
- Maintain strict objectivity: document only observable facts, not interpretations
Formatting Requirements
- Format: APA 7th Edition
- Font: 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Arial
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
- Margins: 2.54cm (1 inch) all sides
- Structure: Title page, introduction, four main sections (headings permitted), reference list
- Citations: Minimum of five peer-reviewed or government sources (2018–2026)
- Appendices: Optional community map, demographic data tables
- File Format: .docx submitted via Learning Management System
Marking Criteria and Standards
| Criteria | High Distinction (85–100%) | Distinction (75–84%) | Credit (65–74%) | Pass (50–64%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Core Assessment (20%) |
Comprehensive coverage of all four elements; seamless integration of secondary data; precise demographic statistics with proper citation | Complete coverage of all elements; good integration of secondary data; minor gaps in demographic detail | Adequate coverage; three of four elements complete; limited secondary data integration | Incomplete coverage; fewer than three elements addressed; missing demographic data |
| Subsystem Analysis (25%) |
All eight subsystems analyzed with specific objective observations; clear connections to health implications; excellent use of observational evidence | All eight subsystems addressed; mostly objective observations; good connection to health implications | Six to seven subsystems addressed; some subjective interpretations; limited health connections | Fewer than six subsystems addressed; predominantly subjective interpretations; minimal health analysis |
| Community Nursing Diagnoses (25%) |
Two NANDA-I diagnoses are correctly formatted with appropriate related factors and defining characteristics; prioritization is logically defended with epidemiological rationale; objectives are SMART | Two NANDA-I diagnoses are correctly formatted; prioritization is logical but rationale is limited; objectives are mostly measurable | Two diagnoses present but may include formatting errors or medical rather than nursing focus; prioritization lacks clear rationale | Incorrect use of NANDA-I taxonomy; diagnoses are medical rather than community-focused; no prioritization rationale |
| Data Integration and Analysis (20%) |
Seamless synthesis of primary and secondary data; excellent triangulation between observation, interview, and demographic sources; critical analysis of discrepancies | Good synthesis of primary and secondary data; some triangulation evident; limited analysis of discrepancies | Adequate data presentation; limited synthesis between sources; descriptive rather than analytical | Minimal data integration; heavy reliance on single source type; no analytical component |
| Academic Presentation (10%) |
Flawless APA formatting; sophisticated academic prose; seamless integration of citations; error-free mechanics | Minor APA inconsistencies; clear academic prose; appropriate citations; minimal mechanical errors | Noticeable APA errors; adequate prose; citations present but inconsistently applied; some mechanical errors | Significant APA deviations; unclear expression; missing or incorrect citations; frequent mechanical errors |
Sample Content Excerpt
The Somerset neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington presents a complex community health profile characterized by economic prosperity coexisting with significant lifestyle risk factors. Established during the 1960s housing boom, this hillside community of approximately 2,500 homes sits at 1,000 feet elevation between Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington, commanding panoramic views that historically attracted high-income residents. Current demographic data indicates a racially diverse population with 58.49% Caucasian and 34.30% Asian residents, reflecting broader regional migration patterns. Despite high educational attainment and employment rates nearing 97%, the community demonstrates concerning health indicators including elevated obesity rates and substantial alcohol availability through numerous liquor stores and nightlife venues.
Observational data reveals a community in transition regarding health behaviors. While residents maintain meticulously landscaped properties and participate actively in outdoor recreation at facilities like Forest Hill Neighborhood Park, the prevalence of fast food establishments and the density of alcohol retail outlets present environmental health challenges. The absence of inpatient psychiatric facilities and limited public mental health services create service gaps for a population experiencing stressors related to high cost of living. Community nursing diagnoses must address these contradictions: a population with resources but potentially inadequate health promotion infrastructure. According to Vollman et al. (2020), such communities require nursing interventions that mobilize existing social capital while addressing environmental determinants of chronic disease.
References
Koch, H. (2025). Windshield survey: A tool for community health assessment. Journal of Community and Public Health Nursing, 11(3), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.4172/2471-9846.1000666
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (10th ed.). Elsevier. https://www.elsevier.com/books/public-health-nursing/stanhope/978-0-323-58454-4
University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development. (2024). Community toolbox: Windshield and walking surveys. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/windshield-walking-surveys/main
Valley Presbyterian Hospital. (2024). 2024 Community health needs assessment. https://www.valleypres.org/documents/content/VPH-CHNA-Report-2024.pdf
Vollman, A. M., Anderson, E. T., & McFarlane, J. M. (2020). Community as partner: Theory and practice in nursing (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://shop.lww.com/Community-as-Partner/p/9781975138110
Next Assessment Preview: Week 6
Assessment 2: Community Health Promotion Program Design
Building on your windshield survey findings, you will now design a targeted health promotion program addressing one priority diagnosis identified in your community assessment. This 2,000–2,500-word paper requires you to develop a logic model intervention using the PRECEDE-PROCEED framework, establish measurable program objectives, design culturally appropriate educational materials for your specific community demographic, and create an evaluation plan using process and outcome indicators. The assignment includes a stakeholder analysis identifying potential community partnerships and a sustainability plan for program continuation beyond the initial implementation phase.