Enhancing nursing clinical experiences through service learning (SL/CE)
Abstract
Service learning experiences are known to increase leadership qualities, enhance skills and cultivate partnerships within the community. The community is a perfect platform for nursing students to learn the skill of health promotion. Partnering with a local Head Start program where nursing students can interact and connect with preschool age children has provided valuable clinical experiences for nursing students in a child health nursing course. Nursing students are able to provide screenings and assessments to children while assisting the program to meet the necessary state and federal requirements. In this dual partnership, nursing students gain confidence in their nursing skills, connect with children to establish trust in medical professionals, increase their cultural competence and foster critical thinking. Clinical experiences cannot be predicted or replicated and service learning in the community creates a unique experience for nursing students. Service learning helps bridge the gap between class and practice, encourages teamwork and develops critical understanding while promoting the impact of community involvement. Opportunities to serve the community through nursing clinical experiences support the relationship of social responsibility and the nursing profession. Nurses are very influential in their communities. Community health promotion is a major part of improving overall health outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations such as children. Introducing community engagement through service learning experiences in nursing education nurtures future nurses to making meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. Service learning in nursing education is an invaluable, interactive pedagogical approach that intertwines academic learning with real-world experiences, fostering the development of compassionate, competent, and socially responsible nurses.
Keywords
service learning, nursing education
Enhancing nursing clinical experiences through service learning (SL/CE)
CASB 102
Service learning experiences are known to increase leadership qualities, enhance skills and cultivate partnerships within the community. The community is a perfect platform for nursing students to learn the skill of health promotion. Partnering with a local Head Start program where nursing students can interact and connect with preschool age children has provided valuable clinical experiences for nursing students in a child health nursing course. Nursing students are able to provide screenings and assessments to children while assisting the program to meet the necessary state and federal requirements. In this dual partnership, nursing students gain confidence in their nursing skills, connect with children to establish trust in medical professionals, increase their cultural competence and foster critical thinking. Clinical experiences cannot be predicted or replicated and service learning in the community creates a unique experience for nursing students. Service learning helps bridge the gap between class and practice, encourages teamwork and develops critical understanding while promoting the impact of community involvement. Opportunities to serve the community through nursing clinical experiences support the relationship of social responsibility and the nursing profession. Nurses are very influential in their communities. Community health promotion is a major part of improving overall health outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations such as children. Introducing community engagement through service learning experiences in nursing education nurtures future nurses to making meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. Service learning in nursing education is an invaluable, interactive pedagogical approach that intertwines academic learning with real-world experiences, fostering the development of compassionate, competent, and socially responsible nurses.