What is a Windshield Survey?
A windshield survey is a type of community assessment that is conducted by driving through a community and observing the physical environment, economy, health and social services, demographics, and strengths and weaknesses of the community. Windshield surveys are a valuable tool for nurses because they can help to identify the needs of the community and develop interventions to address those needs.
Why is a Windshield Survey Important for Nurses?
Nurses are responsible for providing care to individuals, families, and communities. In order to provide effective care, nurses need to understand the needs of the community and the factors that influence those needs. Windshield surveys can help nurses to do this by providing them with information about the physical environment, economy, health and social services, demographics, and strengths and weaknesses of the community.
How to Conduct a Windshield Survey
To conduct a windshield survey, you will need to drive through the community and observe the following:
- Physical environment: What types of housing are available in the community? What is the condition of the housing? Are there any signs of overcrowding or homelessness? Are there parks and recreation facilities available in the community? Are they well-maintained and accessible to all members of the community? Is the air and water quality in the community good? Are there any environmental hazards? Are the noise levels in the community acceptable? Are there any areas that are particularly noisy? Is the community safe and secure? Are there any areas that are particularly dangerous?
- Economy: What are the employment rates in the community? Are there any major industries in the area? What are the income levels in the community? Is there a lot of poverty? What are the poverty rates in the community? Are there any areas that are particularly impoverished?
- Health and social services: Are there hospitals and clinics in the community? Are they easily accessible? Are there mental health services available in the community? Are they easily accessible? Are there substance abuse treatment programs available in the community? Are they easily accessible? Are there social services agencies available in the community? Do they provide the services that are needed?
- Demographics: What is the age distribution of the community? Is there a large elderly population? Is there a large child population? What are the racial and ethnic demographics of the community? What languages are spoken in the community? Are there any language barriers? What are the education levels in the community? What are the disability rates in the community?
- Strengths and weaknesses of the community: What are the community’s assets? For example, does the community have a strong sense of community? Are there many volunteer organizations? What are the community’s challenges? For example, is there a lot of poverty? Is there a high crime rate?
As you are driving through the community, take notes on your observations. You may also want to take pictures to document your findings.
Tips for Writing a Windshield Survey Nursing Paper
When writing a windshield survey nursing paper, be sure to:
- Introduce the topic of windshield surveys and explain why they are important for nurses.
- Describe the community that you surveyed and the methods that you used to conduct your windshield survey.
- Discuss your findings in detail, including both the strengths and weaknesses of the community.
- Analyze your findings and discuss their implications for nursing practice.
- Conclude your paper by summarizing your main points and discussing your recommendations for future research and interventions.
Example Subheadings
- Housing: What types of housing are available in the community? What is the condition of the housing? Are there any signs of overcrowding or homelessness?
- Transportation: What types of transportation are available in the community? Is public transportation easily accessible? Are there safe sidewalks and bike lanes?
- Parks and recreation facilities: Are there parks and recreation facilities available in the community? Are they well-maintained and accessible to all members of the community?
- Air and water quality: Is the air and water quality in the community good? Are there any environmental hazards?
- Noise levels: Are the noise levels in the community acceptable? Are there any areas that are particularly noisy?
- Safety and security: Is the community safe and secure? Are there any areas that are particularly dangerous?
- Employment rates: What are the employment rates in the community? Are there any major industries in the area?
- Income levels: What are the income levels in the community? Is there a lot of poverty?
- Poverty rates: What are the poverty rates in the community? Are there any areas that are particularly impoverished?
- Access to healthcare: Do all members of the community have access to quality healthcare? Are there any barriers to accessing healthcare? Access to healthy food: Do all members of the community have access to healthy food? Are there any areas that are food deserts?
- Hospitals and clinics: Are there hospitals and clinics in the community? Are they easily accessible?
- Mental health services: Are there mental health services available in the community? Are they easily accessible?
- Substance abuse treatment programs: Are there substance abuse treatment programs available in the community? Are they easily accessible?
- Social services agencies: Are there social services agencies available in the community? Do they provide the services that are needed?
- Age distribution: What is the age distribution of the community? Is there a large elderly population? Is there a large child population?
- Race and ethnicity: What are the racial and ethnic demographics of the community?
- Languages spoken: What languages are spoken in the community? Are there any language barriers?
- Education levels: What are the education levels in the community?
- Disability rates: What are the disability rates in the community?
- Community assets: What are the community’s assets? For example, does the community have a strong sense of community? Are there many volunteer organizations?
- Community challenges: What are the community’s challenges? For example, is there a lot of poverty? Is there a high crime rate?
Conclusion
Once you have completed your windshield survey and analyzed your findings, you can begin to write your paper. Be sure to include the following sections in your paper:
- Introduction: Introduce the topic of windshield surveys and explain why they are important for nurses.
- Methods: Describe the community that you surveyed and the methods that you used to conduct your windshield survey.
- Results: Discuss your findings in detail, including both the strengths and weaknesses of the community.
- Discussion: Analyze your findings and discuss their implications for nursing practice.
- Conclusion: Summarize your main points and discuss your recommendations for future research and interventions.
FAQs
What are some common mistakes to avoid when conducting a windshield survey?
Some common mistakes to avoid when conducting a windshield survey include:
* Not being prepared: Before you begin your windshield survey, be sure to develop a plan and identify the specific areas that you want to survey.
* Not being objective: It is important to be objective when conducting a windshield survey. Avoid making assumptions or judgments about the community.
* Not taking notes: It is important to take notes during your windshield survey. This will help you to remember your observations and to write a comprehensive paper.
* Not taking pictures: Taking pictures can be a helpful way to document your findings.
How can I use the findings of my windshield survey to advocate for my community?
Once you have completed your windshield survey and analyzed your findings, you can use them to advocate for your community. You can share your findings with community leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders. You can also use your findings to develop educational programs and interventions to address the needs of your community.
Where can I find more information about windshield surveys?
There are a number of resources available that can provide you with more information about windshield surveys. Some of these resources include:
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC has a number of resources on its website about windshield surveys, including a guide on how to conduct a windshield survey and a list of common findings.
* The American Public Health Association (APHA): The APHA also has a number of resources on its website about windshield surveys, including a webinar on how to conduct a windshield survey and a toolkit on how to use windshield survey findings to advocate for your community.
* The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO): The NACCHO also has a number of resources on its website about windshield surveys, including a guide on how to conduct a windshield survey and a list of case studies.
