1

Canfield Fair Journal

Iqra Imran

Youngstown State University

NURS 3710: Nursing in the Community Clinical

Dr. Weaver and Dr. Class

2 September 2022
 2

Canfield Fair

The canfield fair is the first community clinical experience I was involved in this

semester. My responsibility for this particular clinical was to take blood pressures for 2 hours,

from 2-4 pm, and educate the patients on how to improve and manage those abnormal blood

pressures. There were a variety of patients that I got to meet, both of different races and gender.

Most of the community members that wanted their blood pressures taken were part of the older

population. I gave paper slips to those who wanted their blood pressures recorded so that they

could keep track of it. Overall, this clinical gave me the opportunity to get comfortable taking a

good amount of blood pressures while interacting with community members about themselves

and their days.

Describe the community as a setting for all levels of health care delivery from clinical

community experience.

Community based nursing involves primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of healthcare

in terms of prevention. The canfield fair was a perfect example of secondary prevention. This

type of level consists of early identification with prompt intervention to prevent or limit

disability. Taking blood pressures allowed me to take part in patient education when I

encountered a low or high reading. Intervening to acknowledge the patient and make them aware

of their health is a great way to prevent further complications with their blood pressures. Even if

the patient had a normal blood pressure reading, intervening by providing health education so

that they remain at normal levels is a way to prevent complications. This setting was an

appropriate example of community health care levels and a learning opportunity to learn how to

intervene.
 3

Applies educational theory, principles and strategies when teaching individuals, and

families at health fairs, health screenings and home care.

Working and interacting in any sort of community clinical environment means you will

be providing patient education which is what I did at the canfield fair. Anytime I took blood

pressures, I was able to educate patients on things such as diets, exercise, medications, and ask

about what their day at the fair looked like. With being at the setting that we were, it is not a

surprise that people were eating a lot of calorie dense, unhealthy food, sweet or alcoholic drinks,

and walking around in a hot and sunny weather. All these factors contributed to the education the

patients were getting. For example, I asked about any prescribed medications they should be

taking to keep their blood pressure at normal levels and encouraged appropriate intake.

Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, reducing salt in diet, and monitoring blood pressure at

home along with getting regular checkups are some of the things I told my patients frequently.

I was excited and looking forward to taking blood pressures at the fair since this was our

first time being out in the community as nursing students. This was a great opportunity for me to

work on manual blood pressure skills. I feel a lot more comfortable now that I have had a good

amount of practice. The laid-back setting is also something I appreciated because it was different

than the past hospital clinical setting I was used to. It’s surprising to find out that some people

don’t go to a physician routinely or keep up with their blood pressures for instance. So informing

them of the risks and benefits of abnormal blood pressures is critical. Also, this might be the only

chance they have to find out what their blood pressure is. That makes this event even more

significant and special. I think this is the perfect clinical to start with for community because it

gives you a chance to interact with community members in a comfortable setting.