INDEPENDENT STUDY
Observational
Community Experience Guidelines
Community-based services are evolving to meet the needs of individuals and families in the continuum of
care. The continuum of care includes inpatient hospitalization, outpatient care services, residential care,
self-help, and other resources. Nursing process and the psychotherapeutic management approach can be
adapted in any setting along the continuum of care.
Self-help group meetings are conducted by members; not professionals. These meetings are held in many
locations in the community, often on a weekly basis. By attending these meetings, the student will be able
to assist her clients in linking with appropriate community resources.
The student will attend one support group during the semester. The first one should include the experience
of attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Examples of Self-Help Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous
Al-Anon
Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC Jacksonville)
Narcotics Anonymous
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Hospice of Northeast Florida
Depression/Bipolar Support Group
Also:
Grief, Divorce, Bereavement Support Groups
Chronic or Terminal Illness Support Groups
OBSERVATIONAL
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
DIRECTIONS:
1.
Pair up with a classmate if possible and make arrangements to attend a local support
group meeting.
2.
Write a paper based on questions from the following sections (A-E) based on your
experience. (Follow standard Clinical Paper Rubric). DO NOT WRITE THE NAMES OF
GROUP PARTICIPANTS.
3.
Be prepared to discuss this with your clinical group.
4.
Due Date: Saturday midnight of same week after attending meeting-MUST be posted by
Week 7! Upload in Bb into Week 7 Written Clinical Assignment area. ______________
A.
Describe the date, time, location, and name of the organization
B.
How many people were in attendance? Describe them, including age, gender, participation, and
emotions displayed during the meeting.
C.
What topics were discussed? Who were the speakers? How were they received by group
members?
D.
What kind of reception were you given? Assess your level of comfort in the group environment.
What would have made the meeting better for you?
E.
Would you consider recommending this group to your future clients or their significant others?
Discuss why or why not in detail.
F.
What types of therapeutic communication did you see used? What types should/could have been
used but wasn? What types of nontherapeutic communication did you see used?

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