Week 1 Discussion Replies(NSG4074)

I need 75-100(word) replies to each student discussion response & Professor response ,I’ve attached the initial discussion post for reference also.

Week 1 Reflection: Community and Global Health Perspectives

Topic 1

• Reflect on your perspective of community and global health.
• Provide an example of how you have interacted with community health initiatives.
• Explain why this form of nursing is vital to promoting health and preventing disease.

Submission details

• Write a brief 300-400 word reflection on your beliefs and insights about the selected topic. Feel free to share openly without concern about getting a grade expressing your personal thoughts or feelings in your writing. Your reflective journal must reflect your personal nursing practice experience.

Initial DP(Me): Whenever I consider community health, I do not think about it as something I was forced to take in nursing school; I think about it as the beginning of it all. My perception of health before nursing was that of individual responsibility. Today, I understand that the health of a person cannot be separated with the environment he/she lives in, what food he/she gets, and what are his/her social support systems. Equity in action to me means community health nursing.

Among the experiences that appeared to have the greatest influence on me was a mobile flu vaccination clinic that was arranged among a low-served migrant farming community. We went to the patients, unlike the hospital setting, where patients come to us; we organized ourselves in a parking lot of a community center on a Saturday morning. Most of the people that we served lacked primary care providers and health insurance. They had hard labor jobs and their living conditions were congested, which made them extremely susceptible to breathing diseases. I recall a similar older man who was reluctant to take the vaccine as he was afraid of becoming too ill to work. We did not simply give him a consent form, but instead, we sat and listened to his anxieties and spoke to him in straight and respectful words as to how the vaccine protects the lungs. He later consented and I remained grateful.

This had strengthened my understanding of the importance of community health nursing. The outbreaks of chronic diseases cannot be treated unless they are prevented on the population level. Community health nurses are intermediaries who connect the vulnerable populations and the broken healthcare system. We are not only treating the virus, but also the isolation, the fear, and the misinformation. In this type of nursing, we are needed to leave sterile settings and go to the people where they are, both physically and metaphorically. It is grassroots advocacy and it is where nursing can be a social justice force.

Reference

South University College of Nursing and Public Health. (2023). RN to BSN and RN to MSN student handbook.South University

Student Response #1Liliana Palmero Serrano posted Feb 12, 2026 8:05 PM

Community and global health, for me, are not just academic concepts. They represent the heart of why I chose nursing. Growing up in Cuba and now beginning my nursing career in Texas, I have seen two very different healthcare systems, yet both have shown me how deeply health is connected to community. In Cuba, prevention and neighborhood-based care were central. Here in the United States, I see advanced technology and specialized care, but I also see gaps in access and health equity. These experiences have shaped my belief that community health is about connection, prevention, and justice.

One example of interacting with community health initiatives happened during my clinical training when we participated in a local health screening event. We provided blood pressure and glucose checks for individuals who did not regularly visit healthcare providers. What impacted me most was not the screenings themselves, but the conversations. Many people shared concerns about medication costs, lack of insurance, or fear of seeking care. I realized that community health nursing is not just about identifying numbers outside of normal range; it is about listening, educating, and guiding people toward available resources.

This form of nursing is vital because it focuses on prevention instead of reaction. So many chronic illnesses, such as hypertension and diabetes, can be better managed or even prevented with early education and consistent follow-up. When nurses step into communities, we help reduce hospital admissions and improve quality of life. Community health also strengthens trust between healthcare professionals and the populations we serve. Without trust, even the best medical interventions may fail.

As I prepare to begin practicing as a nurse, I understand that my role goes beyond bedside care. I want to be a professional who not only treats illness but also promotes long-term wellness. Community and global health perspectives remind me that every patient is part of a larger system influenced by culture, family, environment, and access to care. Recognizing that bigger picture makes me more aware, more compassionate, and more committed to growing as a nurse.

Student Response #2 Courtney Tucker posted Feb 12, 2026 7:28 PM

When I think about community and global health, Im reminded that nursing stretches far beyond the walls of a hospital or clinic. Community health has always felt like the heartbeat of prevention, meeting people where they are, understanding their day-to-day struggles, and helping them stay healthy before they ever need a hospital bed. My perspective has grown over the years, especially as Ive watched how closely local health issues connect to larger global patterns.

One example that always comes to mind is a community blood pressure screening event I helped with at a neighborhood church. It was a simple setup, tables, cuffs, and a few educational flyers, but the impact was much bigger than I realized at the time. Many people who stopped by shared that they hadnt seen a primary care provider in years. A few had blood pressure readings high enough that we gently encouraged them to seek immediate follow-up. What stayed with me most was how grateful they were for something so basic. It reminded me that community health doesnt have to be complicated to make a difference.

This kind of nursing is vital because it catches problems early, especially for people who might not otherwise access care. It gives us a chance to educate, prevent, and build trust. So many of the chronic conditions we see, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, could be managed more effectively with consistent community-based support. Global health works the same way, just on a larger scale: patterns of disease, access, and inequity dont stop at borders, and neither should our awareness.

Looking at the bigger picture, Ive realized that strong community health systems contribute to healthier families and ultimately healthier populations. As nurses, we have a unique role in bridging those gaps and translating health information in a way that actually fits into peoples lives. Even small interactions, like that church screening, remind me why prevention and community outreach matter so much in the long run.

Professor Reply:

Fri at 5:19 AM

Interesting reflection Steven

Do you think that communities such as the one you described suffer greater health disparities due to lack of knowledge that we, as nurses, could address? What isn’t that happening?

Todd McDonald