title: Population-focused nursing: advocacy for vulnerable populations in an RN-BSN program.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative learning activity for online RN-BSN students designed to foster advocacy for vulnerable populations. The Vulnerable Population Advocacy Assignment, included as a component of the online Population-Focused Nursing class, provides students with the opportunity to identify and develop an awareness of issues impacting vulnerable populations and to advocate for policy changes that will influence the health of individuals, families, and populations. RN-BSN students build on previous knowledge and skills in professional communication and advocacy as they develop a policy statement designed to address health disparities impacting local, national, and global populations.
authors.affiliation: Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000193:education*; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000193:education*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
keywords: advocacy; nursing education; population-focused nursing; vulnerable populations