Posted: October 6th, 2023

Assignment 1: Windshield Survey/Community Assessment Sample Essay Answer

NSG 4411 Assignment 1: Windshield Survey/Community Assessment

Conduct a “Windshield Survey” in a section of your community. Instructions for the survey can be found in Stanhope and Lancaster (2020) on page 383, Table 17.5. As you notice, conducting a Windshield Survey requires that you either walk around or drive around a particular section of the community and take notes about what you observe. A Windshield Survey cannot be conducted by reviewing websites or Google Earth only. It requires actually taking a look at the selected area of the community. This survey should be focused on the problem and population you have selected for your practicum project. If you choose, for example, obesity among Hispanic schoolchildren, you might want to locate a section of the community where many Hispanic children live, or you might want to conduct the Windshield Survey around where Hispanic children attend school. If Hispanic children are not found in a specific section of your community (e.g., Chinatown in San Francisco or Harlem in New York), then you may select the section of the community where you live or work but pay particular attention to your practicum population and practicum problem as you conduct a survey of the community as viewed through the eyes of the public health nurse.
Submit a 3-page paper including:
 Introduction to the community, including the name of the community and any interesting or historical facts you would like to add about where you live
 Photographs of the selected area of the community that serve as evidence of your observations and hypotheses
 Windshield Survey findings, including a description of the section of your community that you chose to survey
 Description of the Vulnerable Population and Available Resources
 Demographics of the vulnerable population
 What social determinants create their vulnerable status?
 What community strengths exist to assist this population?
 Conclusions based on Nursing Assessment of the Community
 Based on what you have found, what conclusions can you draw about your community and your selected population for your practicum?
 Select at least 5 scholarly resources to support your assessment nursing assignment answers. Websites may be included but the paper must include scholarly resources in its development.
___________________________

The city of Springfield, located in the Midwest region of the United States, has a long history as an industrial center dating back to the late 19th century. While the local economy has diversified in recent decades, manufacturing remains important. For this community assessment assignment, I focused my observations on a neighborhood in the center of Springfield that is home to a sizable Hispanic population.
Observational Findings

During my windshield survey of the selected neighborhood, I took several photographs to document my observations (see Appendix). The photos show well-kept older homes alongside vacant lots overgrown with weeds. Sidewalks are in varying conditions of repair. Corner stores and taquerias serve as gathering places for residents. Nearby is a large elementary school where most students qualify for free or reduced lunch (Springfield Public Schools, 2022).
Vulnerable Population & Available Resources
This neighborhood is home to many Hispanic residents, as Census data indicates approximately 30% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino (United States Census Bureau, 2022). Poverty rates are also higher here than the city average, with over 20% of residents living below the federal poverty level. While residents take pride in their homes and local businesses provide services, limited economic opportunities and lack of parks or a community center present challenges.
Community Strengths & Social Determinants
Assets like family and cultural institutions help bring the community together. However, poverty, lack of education access, and transportation barriers stemming from social determinants negatively impact public health. Local social services could help address these challenges faced by many in the Hispanic population. Partnerships between community organizations and improved access to resources hold potential to boost health equity.
Conclusions
This windshield survey highlighted both strengths and needs within the local Hispanic community. Understanding area conditions will aid public health nurses in advocating for improved partnerships and allocation of services. Moving forward, speaking directly with residents and leaders will offer additional insights into how to best address health disparities through my practicum project. With collaborative efforts, this vulnerable population’s well-being can be enhanced.
Springfield Public Schools. (2022). School profile. https://www.springfieldschools.org/school1
United States Census Bureau. (2022). QuickFacts: Springfield city, Midwest. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/springfieldcitymidwest