Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110064

Marilyn G. King, DNSc, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, PO Box 250160, Charleston, SC 29425, (843)792-9237, kingmg@musc.edu and Charles L. Hossler, MSN, PhD(Cand), REACH 2010, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, 99 Jonathan Lucas Avenue, Box 250160, Charleston, SC 29425.

Water and sun safety: Teaching population focused nursing at the beach

The transition at the Medical University of South Carolina from a traditional community health nursing course to a population focused course has provided a unique opportunity to develop non-traditional sites for clinical experiences. With the change to a year round curriculum that placed the population course in the summer session, the faculty decided to explore the possibility of placing students in the county parks and beaches for clinical experiences. The purpose of this presentation is to present the process of developing these alternative sites and teaching students skills needed to work in partnership with community leaders to address an identified community issue. Following negotiations with the Department of County Parks and Recreation and city leaders to gain access to the sites, students were guided in the application of the nursing process with populations. As a part of their educational experience, students worked with key leaders to identify a community health need. For instance, at one site, students in partnership with local leaders identified drownings and near drownings at the beaches as a significant need. Students then worked with the police and fire departments, local realtors, and community vendors to develop an intervention. The outcome of the project was an informational brochure that was developed and printed to be distributed by local realtors to all tourist renting local properties. In summary, these new sites proved to be popular with both students and community partners, thereby providing opportunities for future collaboration.

Learning Objectives:

• Atriculate the process used to teach students strategies for developing community partnerships.
• Descibe the process students developed to evaluate process and outcomes for the project.

Keywords: Partnerships, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.