Population Health in Nursing

Catalog description

Current efforts to promote health and decrease acute care utilization represent a major shift in 21st century goals of the United States healthcare system. Nurses new to the profession as well as practicing nurses must acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to assume emerging roles created to reach these goals. By partnering with individuals, families, and communities in activities to improve health and avoid illness, nurses will form the leadership needed for a healthier society. This course assists students to apply the nursing process to population health through community assessment and identification of priority health needs, followed by planning of a community-focused project. Beginning practice in epidemiological investigation, assessment of social and environmental influences on health, and identification of societal resources to support health helps students to incorporate various factors into their community project and increase their knowledge base in public health.