NorQuest College-PN Program

Assignment: Professional Portfolio

Student Name: Amanda Byrne

Course: NFDN 2006 – Community Health Nursing

Competenc
y: Category R-1 Community Health Nursing
Letter,
Number R-1-4 “Demonstrate knowledge of social determinants of health and how they impact
and individuals, groups and communities” (College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta, 2015, p.
Subcategor 152).
y
Significant
Learning One significant leaning experience that I learned from this course was the importance of
Experience: understanding how the social determinants of health affect the well-being of individuals, groups
Describe and the community. I learned that certain populations are more vulnerable to these social
one conditions and that they can affect an individual and a community in many ways. The social
significant determinants of health are things such as education, income, shelter, employment, food
learning security, early life beginning, etc. I learned that once there is a deficit in one area it typically
experience affects the well being in other areas as well. For example, if someone does not have much
in this education this effects their job opportunities, which effects their income level, which effects
course their housing affordability, which affects food quality, if there are children it effects their early
related to development and the list goes on. Our social determinants of health are not limited to just one
the CLPNA area, it has an impact on all areas of life and the community the individual lives in.
Competenc
y identified.
Provide an
example

What you I learned that it is important for the community health nurse to be aware of these social
Learned: determinants to work effectively within the community to provide appropriate and ethical,
Describe competent care to the individual/ group/community they are working with. That it is important
what you when looking at these social conditions to find the strengths that an
learned and individual/group/community has to build upon, which in turn can empower and strengthen
how it them to set goals that they find important and view as an area that needs changing. Having an
relates to awareness of these determinants gives insight into the client’s situation and how they came to
the be in that situation. It requires the nurse to be unbiased and nonjudgmental as people can be
competenc affected by the social determinants of health at any given time during their life. A change in just
y identified. one area such as a job loss can in turn effect several other determinants in a short amount of
time.
Proficiency
Rating: Use I would rate myself as “fair” in this category as this is knowledge that have I gained in theory
the class and have not had an opportunity to put into practice in a community health setting. I have
“Proficiency been able to achieve knowledge and understanding of the social determinants of health and
Rating how they affect individuals, groups and the community, by attending my theory classes, reading
Categories” all assigned materials, and completing class assignments. In particular I had to complete a
(excellent, teaching presentation which addressed social determinants of health and how they impacted
good, fair, the target group being addressed and how a community health nurse would provide support
poor) to and education that meets the needs of a specific group.
rate your

May 2017-final
NorQuest College-PN Program

proficiency
in the
identified
CLPNA
competenc
y. Explain
what was
done to
achieve the
competenc
y and to
support
your rating.
Significance
of Learning: The significance of this learning is important because there are many things that affect the well
Explain how being of individuals, groups and communities. To be able to provide safe, competent care is to
the understand these determinants to best address the needs and concerns of the community. If a
identified nurse does not have any knowledge or understanding of how these determinants have an
competenc impact on their clients, then they will not be providing competent care and may find themselves
y enhanced being judgmental and not doing what’s in the best interest of the client. Having this knowledge
your gives the nurse a better understanding of how a client is affected by these determinants. This
learning understanding and knowledge will determine the plan of care, type of education provided,
(was appropriate referrals, etc. the nurse needs to work within the client’s capabilities. This learning
meaningful) was meaningful because no matter what area of nursing I may find myself in I will need to be
in this aware of the social determinants that can affect an individual and how it impacts their health
course and well-being.
Nursing
Practice: I will be able to apply this knowledge and understanding into my future preceptorship as well as
Describe my future nursing practice. I will be able to do this by looking at the social determinants of
how you health that impact an individual/group/community and provide care and support that reflects
will be able what is needed and in their best interest. I will be able to provide education and resources that
to apply are available, accessible, affordable and reasonable that applies to their circumstances. I will be
this able to provide my clients with safe, competent, ethical care without being judgmental about
learning in their circumstances or how they ended up here. I am aware that any biases or preconceived
your ideas I may have surrounding certain situation or populations need to be put aside when I am
current and providing care and support to my clients. I know that to work in the community setting I will
future need to be knowledgeable around the individuals/group/community I am working with and be
nursing aware of the social determinants that are affecting this population, to ensure I am providing
practice appropriate, accessible, acceptable, and affordable care. I know that I need to keep my
(What are knowledge and skills up to date so that I am always keeping best practices in mind when
your providing care.
strengths
and what
are your
future
learning
needs).

College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. (2015). Competency profile for Licensed
APA:
Practical Nurses (3rd ed). Retrieved from https://www.clpna.com/wp-
Reference
content/uploads/2013/02/doc_Competency_Profile_for_LPNs_3rd_Ed_R_Community
_Health.pdf

May 2017-final
NorQuest College-PN Program

May 2017-final