NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia

ByDaniel Rossi Updated on

NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and headings in the paper, as outlined by Chamberlain University.

How to Research and Prepare for NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the Chamberlain University library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the Chamberlain University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last 5 years and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next, create a detailed outline of the paper to help you develop headings and subheadings for the content. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia

In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”

How to Write the Conclusion for NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically, and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319

Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.

NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia Instructions

State of Virginia/ County of Bedford

Follow these guidelines when completing each component of the assignment. Contact your course faculty if you have questions.

Health inequities result in poor health outcomes creating a burden on clients, families, and communities. One of the areas of impact is in life expectancy. Several factors impact life expectancy, including genetics, race, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle choices. Surprisingly, one of the most significant predictors of life expectancy is zip code.

View this brief video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu7d0BMRt0o on the correlation of zip code to life expectancy. Then, follow the directions below to gather information for your initial discussion post. You may gather information for your home county or for the area in which you intend to practice.

  1. Application of Course Knowledge:
  • https://data.census.gov/advanced
  • Use the Geography filter in the left menu. Select your state and county. Click the SEARCH button.
  • View the profile for your county. The link may be found under the county map.
  • Identify your county and state. Briefly describe demographic data for your county, including total population, median income, percentage of residents with health insurance, poverty percentage, and one additional demographic. Compare the data to state averages and discuss your findings.

·  Evaluate life expectancy data:

  • https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data-visualization/life-expectancy/
  • Select your state and county from the dropdown menus on the interactive map.
  • Find the census tract with the highest life expectancy and the tract with the lowest life expectancy within your county. Compare these rates with the state and national averages.
  • Identify and describe demographic factors in the selected county that may play a role in life expectancy.
  • Explain the implications of this data for your future practice.

·  Cite 3 scholarly sources of <5yrs. in the initial post

NR601 Week 1 Discussion: County of Bedford Virginia Example

Describing County Demographics

With 79,462 residents overall, Bedford County, Virginia, has a far smaller population than the state of Virginia, which has 8,631,393 residents. The disparity in population size may have consequences for the county’s resources and healthcare accessibility. In terms of economic considerations, Bedford County’s median income is $71,751 (± $6,581), which is much less than the state average of $85,873 (± $763) (United States Census Bureau (USCB), 2023). The county’s higher median income might indicate a wealthier populace, which could impact their ability to access high-quality medical treatment.

The percentage of people in Bedford County with health insurance is 94.3%, which is higher than the state average of 93.5% (USCB, 2023). This high coverage percentage could indicate that most locals have health insurance to cover their medical costs, which would improve their overall well-being. Bedford County’s poverty rate is significantly lower than the state average, which is 10.6% (±0.3%), at 7.1% (±2.1%) (USCB, 2023). Lower rates of poverty are associated with improved living conditions and easier access to healthcare resources for local residents (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2021).

Another demographic characteristic is the median age, which is considerably higher in Bedford County at 47.6 years (± 0.6) than it is in the state average of 39.0 years (± 0.2) (USCB, 2023). Given that older populations often require more comprehensive healthcare services, this age gap may affect the county’s healthcare needs. Additionally, Bedford County has 3.9% (±1.5%) of Italian ancestry, which is somewhat higher than the state average of 3.8% (±0.1%) (USCB, 2023). Healthcare practices and outcomes may be impacted by cultural preferences and health behaviors influenced by one’s ancestral heritage (Swihart & Martin, 2023).

These demographic variations between Bedford County and the state of Virginia reveal the distinctive qualities of the county’s population. These variances can have a significant impact on healthcare disparities, service accessibility, and overall life expectancy. Healthcare professionals who want to address the local population’s unique needs effectively must comprehend these distinctions.

Evaluating Life Expectancy Data

Within Bedford County, Virginia, a disparity in life expectancy exists among various census tracts. The census tract with the highest life expectancy is 0301.03, where the residents have an average lifespan of 83.0 years. This statistic exceeds both the state and national averages, suggesting superior health outcomes and general well-being in this particular region. Conversely, census tract 0306.03 exhibits the lowest life expectancy, with residents having a lifespan of 73.0 years, which is notably lower than both the state and national averages (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). This suggests that there are substantial differences in health outcomes within this particular area.

By comparing these rates with the averages at the state and national levels, it becomes evident how crucial it is to tackle health disparities within Bedford County. Multiple complex factors undoubtedly influence the variations in life expectancy. The census tract with a greater life expectancy may be characterized by improved accessibility to healthcare facilities, higher median income levels, lower poverty rates, and a more affluent demographic. In contrast, areas with a shorter average lifespan may encounter obstacles in accessing medical services, experience higher levels of poverty, and have a lower median income (Massey et al., 2023).

As a healthcare practitioner in Bedford County, it is crucial to acknowledge and address variations in life expectancy among different census tracts within the county. Customizing healthcare interventions to the unique needs of individual communities and addressing the social factors that influence health, such as income, poverty, and access to healthcare, can improve overall life expectancy and health outcomes. Gaining insight into the demographic variables that influence life expectancy in various regions is crucial for delivering patient-centered care and developing effective health promotion initiatives. Healthcare providers can strive to reduce health disparities and enhance the overall well-being of the population in Bedford County, Virginia, by addressing the unique needs and challenges each community faces.

References

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2021, April). Poverty and Health – The Family Medicine Perspective (Position Paper). Www.aafp.org. https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/poverty-health.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, February 28). Life expectancy data, viz. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data-visualization/life-expectancy/

Massey, J. S., Wiese, D., McCullough, M. L., Jemal, A., & Islami, F. (2023). The Association Between Census Tract Healthy Food Accessibility and Life Expectancy in the United States. Journal of Urban Health, 100(3), 572–576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-023-00742-x

Swihart, D. L., & Martin, R. L. (2023). Cultural Religious Competence In Clinical Practice. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493216/

United States Census Bureau (USCB). (2023). Bedford County, Virginia. Data.census.gov. https://data.census.gov/all?q=Bedford+County