Purpose for the program: To have undergraduate nursing students in a Women’s health course complete a community engagement project based on identified health concerns of Latina women from a poor, underserved area. This project will focus on expanding the student’s knowledge base regarding healthcare issues of Latina women and increase their ability to identify, support and care for population specific healthcare needs in the future.      

Proposed change: Traditionally, undergraduate students have limited opportunities to consider women’s health within the focus of population health during their clinical experiences. Using data obtained from a needs assessment project being conducted in a Latina church community in a city in Northeastern U.S., students will create and present poster presentations on topics of concern identified by Latina women. This project includes: presenting evidence-based, culturally appropriate information addressing the concerns of Latina women, providing handouts in both English and Spanish from reputable sources, and facilitating a Q & A session. 

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation: Students will present topics to women in a church community. Consent to implement the project has been approved by the Pastor of the church. The presentations will last 20 minutes each with the women having the opportunity to attend two of the potential 5 presentations based on their interest. The number of women who attend the presentations and which sessions they chose to attend will be documented, providing data on the areas of concern for this population. This venue will also allow for faculty to ask for volunteers for a future qualitative study to be conducted within a few weeks after the presentations focusing on factors that contribute to Latina women seeking preventive care. Students will be evaluated by the faculty mentor for the group. Community attendees will complete a five question satisfaction survey after the presentations.

Implications for nursing practice: Through this population focused project, students have the opportunity to research various women’s health topics and gain expertise in presenting culturally appropriate information to a “live” community audience. In addition, students will become more proficient in patient teaching and population focused health. Given the changes expected in the next few years based on the Affordable Care Act, there will be an even greater need for nurses to work closely with underserved populations and to take on a more active role in outpatient care management. This experience will be a first step to re-envision nursing education in that direction.

Keywords: health education, Latinas, community engagement