Practice Deficit of Graduating Students in Community Health Nursing: Basis for an Intervention Program

Abstract

Background: Community health nursing education is fundamental in preparing nursing students to effectively serve diverse populations and address public health challenges. . Community health nurses work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and community stakeholders to address the unique health needs of populations. It focus on handling diverse environments such as homes, clinics, schools, and community centers, aiming to enhance the well-being of the community as a whole. Community-based nursing is a crucial method that   provides   necessary   healthcare   throughout   all   stages   of    life, emphasizing improved overall health, primary care, and recovery. This approach relies on teamwork between different healthcare disciplines to serve various patient groups

Purpose: To inform policy creation and to cultivate new generation of nursing practitioners, armed with the acumen, empathy, and resilience needed to navigate the intricate tapestry of community health settings and effectuate meaningful change in the healthcare landscape.

Methods:  A total of fifteen participants in the study and utilize descriptive phenomenological study. Interview guide questionnaire was utilized in the study. The respondents for this research are the Teachers handling the Community Health Nursing course in selected university in Manila.

Result:  A total of two major themes in the study (1) Practice Deficit encounter among Graduating Students In Community Health Nursing Course  which generated there subthemes which is (a).Limited Clinical Opportunities (b) Lack of readiness in the community engagement (c) Lack of advance skills in communication and understanding health issues (2) Challenges encounter among clinical instructor in facilitating community health nursing course which generate three subthemes (a) Curriculum Imbalance (b) Insufficient Clinical Placements  (c) Lack of Resource and materials to be use in the community setting.

Conclusion: The findings reveal that the primary practice deficits among graduating community health nursing students are due to limited clinical opportunities, curriculum imbalances, inadequate faculty support, resource constraints, and insufficient interdisciplinary training and community engagement.