Community as client: a "hands-on" experience for baccalaureate nursing students

Abstract

This article describes how Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students are introduced to the concept of community as client. Although this concept is widely accepted, at least theoretically, the majority of community health nursing practicums for baccalaureate students are in working with individuals and families as clients. The community health nursing faculty at La Roche College believe that undergraduate students should not only have the experience of decision making and problem solving at the individual and family level but also at the aggregate or community level. The process of actualizing the community as client concept through "hands on" experience is the focus of this article. Our student body consists of registered nurses seeking their baccalaureate degree in nursing.