Community Description: NURS 4010: Community Health Nursing – Week 5: Community Assessment and Windshield Survey Paper
Course: NURS 4010 – Community Health Nursing
Level: RN-BSN / BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Assignment Type: Written Assessment Paper
Page Length: 3–4 pages (excluding title page and references)
Due Date: End of Week 5 (Day 7)
This assignment requires students to conduct a windshield survey of a selected community, analyze the data collected through systematic observation, and develop a community health nursing diagnosis based on the assessment findings. Students will examine the physical environment, social determinants of health, available resources, and identified risks within the community. The paper must integrate observations from the windshield survey with relevant population health data and scholarly literature to support the analysis and diagnosis. This assignment aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021), particularly Domain 3: Population Health, which emphasizes the importance of assessing population health data and applying an understanding of the public health system in addressing population health needs.
Why This Matters in Practice
Community health nurses must be able to assess the health status of populations and identify factors that influence health outcomes. The windshield survey is a foundational assessment tool used by public health nurses to gather firsthand information about a community’s physical environment, social structures, and available resources. This assignment prepares students to apply the nursing process at the community level, moving beyond individual patient care to population-focused practice. The skills developed through this assignment are directly applicable to roles in public health nursing, community health centers, home health, and population health management. Understanding how to conduct a community assessment and formulate a community health diagnosis is essential for developing effective interventions that address the root causes of health disparities and improve health equity.
Assignment Overview
In this assignment, you will conduct a windshield survey of a community in which you live, work, or have regular access. The windshield survey involves driving or walking through a designated geographic area and making systematic observations about the physical environment, social determinants of health, available resources, and potential health risks. You will then write a 3- to 4-page paper analyzing your observations and developing a community health nursing diagnosis. The paper should synthesize your observations with population health data and scholarly literature to support your analysis and recommendations. This assignment is designed to help you develop competency in community assessment, a core function of community health nursing practice.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this assignment, you will be able to:
- Use systematic observations to make judgments about the health of a community and its members
- Examine the impact of social determinants of health on the overall health of a community
- Identify community strengths, resources, and potential health risks
- Analyze the relationship between the physical environment and health outcomes
- Formulate a community health nursing diagnosis based on assessment findings
- Propose evidence-based interventions to address identified community health needs
Task Description
Part 1: Windshield Survey (Data Collection)
Select a community or neighborhood to assess. This should be a geographic area with defined boundaries (e.g., a zip code, a specific neighborhood, or a 10-block radius around a community focal point such as a clinic, school, or community center). Conduct a windshield survey by driving or walking through the community on at least two different occasions (e.g., weekday and weekend, daytime and evening) to observe variations in community activity and conditions.
During your survey, systematically observe and document the following elements:
- Physical Environment: Housing conditions, cleanliness, green spaces, air and water quality, noise levels, and overall maintenance of the area
- Infrastructure: Roads, sidewalks, public transportation, streetlights, and signage
- Health and Social Services: Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, community health centers, social service agencies, and mental health resources
- Nutrition and Food Access: Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, fast food restaurants, and food deserts
- Recreation and Community Spaces: Parks, community centers, libraries, and places of worship
- Education and Employment: Schools, childcare facilities, employment agencies, and job opportunities
- Safety and Security: Crime indicators, police presence, neighborhood watch signs, and perceived safety
- Population Characteristics: Demographic indicators such as age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status observed through the environment
- Social Determinants of Health: Observations related to the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age that can influence health equity
Document your observations using the Windshield Survey Template provided in the course resources. Include photographs or other visual documentation to support your observations, if applicable.
Part 2: Data Analysis and Paper (Written Assignment)
Using the data collected from your windshield survey, write a 3- to 4-page paper that includes the following sections:
Introduction (Approximately ½ page):
- Describe the community you assessed, including its geographic boundaries, type (urban, suburban, rural), and general demographic characteristics
- State the purpose of the community assessment and the methods used (windshield survey, data collection, observations)
Community Description and Assessment Findings (Approximately 1½ pages):
- Present a comprehensive description of the community based on your windshield survey observations
- Organize findings by categories (physical environment, infrastructure, health and social services, nutrition, recreation, safety, etc.)
- Identify at least three community strengths and three community risks or needs
- Provide a rationale for each strength and risk identified
- Integrate relevant population health data (e.g., from local health departments, CDC, or state health statistics) to support your observations
- Discuss the impact of social determinants of health on the community and its members
Community Health Nursing Diagnosis (Approximately ½ page):
- Develop one community health nursing diagnosis based on your assessment findings
- Use the standard format: “Risk of [problem] among [population] related to [risk factors] as evidenced by [assessment findings]”
- Justify your diagnosis with evidence from your observations and supporting data
Proposed Interventions (Approximately ½ page):
- Propose two evidence-based interventions that address the identified community health diagnosis
- For each intervention, describe the specific actions, the target population, and the expected outcomes
- Consider primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies as appropriate
- Discuss how the interventions align with community strengths and resources
Conclusion (Approximately ½ page):
- Summarize the key findings of your community assessment
- Reflect on the implications of your findings for community health nursing practice
- Discuss the importance of community assessment in promoting population health
Formatting and Submission Requirements
- Length: 3–4 pages (excluding title page and references)
- Format: APA 7th edition guidelines, including title page, page numbers, headings, in-text citations, and reference list
- Font: Times New Roman 12-point, double-spaced
- Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides
- References: A minimum of three scholarly sources published within the last five years, including at least one peer-reviewed journal article and one population health data source (e.g., CDC, state health department, local health department)
- Submission: Submit the paper as a Microsoft Word document through the course submission link by the due date. The Windshield Survey Template must also be submitted as part of the assignment.
Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Excellent (18–20 points) | Good (16–17 points) | Fair (14–15 points) | Poor (0–13 points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield Survey Data Collection | Comprehensive windshield survey conducted with detailed observations across all required categories. Survey conducted on at least two different occasions. Photographs or visual documentation included to support observations. Strengths and risks are clearly identified with thorough rationales. | Adequate windshield survey with good observations across most categories. Survey conducted on at least two occasions. Some visual documentation included. Strengths and risks are identified with adequate rationales. | Basic windshield survey with limited observations across some categories. Survey conducted on only one occasion. Limited visual documentation. Strengths and risks are identified but lack clear rationales. | Incomplete or missing windshield survey. Observations are superficial or not documented. No visual documentation. Strengths and risks are not identified or lack rationales. |
| Community Description and Analysis | Comprehensive community description that integrates windshield survey observations with population health data. Social determinants of health are thoroughly analyzed. Community strengths and risks are well-supported with evidence. Analysis demonstrates critical thinking and depth. | Good community description that integrates observations with some population health data. Social determinants are discussed. Strengths and risks are supported with evidence. Analysis demonstrates some critical thinking. | Basic community description with limited integration of population health data. Social determinants are mentioned but not analyzed. Strengths and risks are identified but lack supporting evidence. Analysis is superficial. | Incomplete or missing community description. No integration of population health data. Social determinants are not addressed. Strengths and risks are not identified or analyzed. |
| Community Health Nursing Diagnosis | Community health nursing diagnosis is accurately formulated using the standard format. Diagnosis clearly reflects assessment findings and is well-justified with evidence from observations and supporting data. Diagnosis is appropriate for community health nursing intervention. | Community health nursing diagnosis is appropriately formulated. Diagnosis reflects assessment findings and is justified with some evidence. Diagnosis is generally appropriate for community health nursing intervention. | Community health nursing diagnosis is present but poorly formulated or does not follow standard format. Diagnosis is not clearly linked to assessment findings or lacks justification. Diagnosis may not be appropriate for community health nursing intervention. | Community health nursing diagnosis is missing or inappropriate. No justification provided. |
| Proposed Interventions | Two evidence-based interventions are proposed that directly address the community health diagnosis. Interventions are specific, actionable, and consider primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Interventions align with community strengths and resources. Expected outcomes are clearly described. | Two interventions are proposed that address the community health diagnosis. Interventions are generally specific and actionable. Some consideration of prevention levels. Interventions align with community resources. Expected outcomes are described. | One or two interventions are proposed but may not directly address the diagnosis. Interventions lack specificity or are not clearly actionable. Limited consideration of prevention levels. Interventions may not align with community resources. Expected outcomes are vague. | No interventions proposed or interventions do not address the diagnosis. Interventions are not evidence-based or actionable. |
| Writing, Organization, and APA Formatting | Writing is clear, concise, and professional. Paper is well-organized with appropriate headings and logical flow. APA 7th edition formatting is flawless. No spelling or grammatical errors. A minimum of three scholarly sources are cited. | Writing is generally clear and professional. Paper is organized with appropriate headings. APA formatting has minor errors. Few spelling or grammatical errors. At least three scholarly sources are cited. | Writing is unclear or contains significant errors. Organization is weak or lacks headings. APA formatting has multiple errors. Several spelling or grammatical errors. Fewer than three scholarly sources are cited. | Writing is unprofessional or difficult to follow. Paper is disorganized. APA formatting is not followed. Many spelling or grammatical errors. Inadequate or missing sources. |
Sample Response Excerpt
A comprehensive windshield survey of an urban community revealed a neighborhood with both significant strengths and notable health risks. The community demonstrated strong social capital through active community centers, places of worship, and human services agencies that provided essential resources such as SNAP benefits, employment assistance, and after-school programs for children. However, the survey also identified several critical risks, including limited access to affordable transportation, an overabundance of fast food restaurants contributing to poor nutrition, and the presence of liquor stores that may contribute to substance use disorders. These observations align with the social determinants of health framework, which recognizes that the conditions in which people live and work significantly influence health outcomes. The community health nursing diagnosis formulated from this assessment was: “Risk of obesity and related chronic diseases among residents of the community related to limited access to healthy food options and inadequate physical activity infrastructure as evidenced by the presence of multiple fast food restaurants and lack of accessible recreational facilities.” This diagnosis reflects the complex interplay between the physical environment and health outcomes that community health nurses must address through targeted, evidence-based interventions.
Integrating Population Health Data into Community Assessment
Effective community assessment requires the integration of primary observational data with secondary population health data to develop a comprehensive understanding of community health needs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides county-level data on chronic disease prevalence, health behaviors, and social determinants of health through platforms such as PLACES and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). For example, a community with limited access to healthy food options may show higher rates of obesity and diabetes in CDC data, reinforcing the windshield survey observations and strengthening the evidence base for the community health nursing diagnosis. Additionally, state health departments often provide community health needs assessments that can be used to benchmark local findings against regional and national data. By triangulating observational data with existing health statistics, students can develop more accurate and comprehensive community assessments that are grounded in both local context and population health science. This approach aligns with the AACN’s emphasis on assessing population health data and applying an understanding of the public health system in addressing population health needs.
Common Challenges in Conducting Windshield Surveys and How to Overcome Them
What are the most common challenges nursing students face when conducting a windshield survey, and how can they ensure a thorough and accurate assessment? One frequent challenge is the tendency to rely solely on visual observations without considering the broader context of the community. Students may miss important social determinants of health, such as the availability of public transportation, the quality of housing, or the presence of community resources. To overcome this, students should use a structured observation tool that guides them through all relevant categories of assessment. Another common pitfall is failing to conduct the survey at different times and on different days, which can result in an incomplete picture of community activity and conditions. Students should plan to conduct the survey during both daytime and evening hours, as well as on weekdays and weekends, to capture variations in community life. Additionally, students may neglect to integrate population health data with their observations, limiting the depth of their analysis. To address this, students should identify relevant local, state, and national health data sources before beginning the assignment and plan to incorporate these data into their written analysis. Finally, students should remember to document their observations systematically and consider using photographs or other visual documentation to support their findings. By anticipating these challenges and planning accordingly, students can conduct a more thorough and meaningful community assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a windshield survey in community health nursing?
A windshield survey is a community assessment method used in nursing to gather information about health-related activities, conditions, and needs by driving or walking through a community and making systematic observations. It provides a visual overview of a community and helps identify conditions and trends that could affect population health.
How do I choose a community for the windshield survey?
Choose a community or neighborhood with defined geographic boundaries where you live, work, or have regular access. Your instructor may provide specific guidelines, such as selecting a community within a certain radius of a focal point like a clinic, school, or community center.
How many times should I conduct the windshield survey?
You should conduct the survey on at least two different occasions, such as a weekday and a weekend, or during daytime and evening hours, to observe variations in community activity and conditions.
What should I include in the community health nursing diagnosis?
The community health nursing diagnosis should follow the standard format: “Risk of [problem] among [population] related to [risk factors] as evidenced by [assessment findings].” The diagnosis should be directly linked to your assessment findings and should identify a health issue that is appropriate for community health nursing intervention.
What types of sources should I use to support my paper?
You should use at least three scholarly sources published within the last five years, including at least one peer-reviewed journal article and one population health data source such as CDC data, state health department data, or local health department data. These sources should support your observations, analysis, and proposed interventions.
References / Learning Materials
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. https://www.aacnnursing.org/essentials
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). PLACES: Local data for better health. https://www.cdc.gov/places
Ernstmeyer, K., & Christman, E. (2022). Chapter 16: Community assessment. In Nursing: Mental health and community concepts. Chippewa Valley Technical College. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590038/
National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2024). Community health assessment and improvement planning. https://www.naccho.org/programs/public-health-infrastructure/performance-improvement/community-health-assessment
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2024). Foundations for population health in community/public health nursing (6th ed.). Elsevier. https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323776879
World Health Organization. (2024). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health
Write a 3- to 4-page community assessment paper for NURS 4010 based on a windshield survey. Analyze community strengths, risks, and social determinants of health. Develop a community health nursing diagnosis and propose evidence-based interventions.
Next Assignment: NURS 4010 – Week 7: Community Health Intervention Project
Due: End of Week 7
Building on the community assessment completed in Week 5, you will develop a detailed community health intervention project. This assignment requires you to select one priority health problem identified in your community assessment and develop a comprehensive intervention plan. The project should include a description of the intervention, a theoretical framework guiding the intervention, a detailed implementation plan with timeline and resources, and an evaluation plan with measurable outcomes. You will also identify community stakeholders and describe strategies for collaboration and sustainability. The intervention project should be 6–8 pages (excluding title page and references) and formatted according to APA 7th edition guidelines. This assignment assesses your ability to apply the nursing process at the community level and demonstrates your capacity to plan and evaluate population-focused health interventions.
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