The community scan:
Part 1: The community scan:5. Complete a 1-2 page community scan by following the steps outlined below.
a. Identify the Community you have selected (i.e. city, county). Write a one-paragraph
complete description of the community. Include the numbers, any health concersn as an aggregate of
the community.
b. Identify the population you selected. Write a one-paragraph complete description of the
population. Include the numbers, and any health concerns specific to this population.
c. Describe the role of the community nurse. Write one paragraph describing what the role of
the community nurse should be when working with this population. What does the community health
nurse need to know about this particular population? What are the common needs for teaching or
health promotion and management?
d. Identify and explain any threats and/or issues. Write 1-2 paragraphs identifying and
explaining threats and/or issues that are currently having an impact on the community and that
would impact your selected population. For example, does this community have a high incidence of
cancer or communicable disease such as HIV or Ebola. The following questions will guide your
thinking. You are NOT to answer the questions. You are to write a narrative that identifies and
explains threats and/or issues.
i. Are there any environmental health issues and/or infectious/communicable diseases?
ii. Is there a pending or likely disaster for which this group should prepare?
iii. Is there a significant cultural impact on this population? If so describe it and explain
how you know that there are health concerns specific to this population. Support your answer with
information gained from the required reading and/or your research about this population.
Part 2: Define the scope
Now that you have identified an issue and/or threat to the community and to your selected
population, you are to define the scope (or focus) of your assessment.
6. Review the video Define the Scope that you watched in week 1, from the Conducting a
Community Assessment web site. Then, scroll below the video and click on "click here to explore".
7. Determine the scope of your community assessment.
8. Write a 1-2 paragraph description or definition of the scope (or focus) of your assessment.
Part 3: Write key questions
9. Read the information below the video (Defining the scope AND Narrowing down). Identify at
least two key questions that will focus your assessment. Select at least two of the questions
listed here that will apply to your selected population:
a. Who are the faith-based and community organizations serving people in my community? What
services are they providing and to whom?
b. What do local residents see as the primary needs for this community?
c. What are the various intervention strategies being used in my community to address the
issues? Are these practices demonstrating any clear outcomes?
d. Who are the people in my community who care about the issue?
e. What community organizations focus on the issue? Are they delivering services in a
meaningful way?
f. What are the gaps in service to people in the community? What would a complete system look
like?
g. How would one conduct an evaluation of developing programs?
11. State at least two key questions of your own that you will use to focus your assessment and
that you will answer at the conclusion of your assessment.
12. Compile Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 into one document. Your document is to include:
a. Header with NURS445, your first and last name, the assignment title and page number
b. Community scan (1-2 pages)
c. Scope (1-2 two paragraphs)
d. Key questions (one or two questions)