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Nur 4144 Summative Service-Learning Reflection
Nur 4144 Summative Service-Learning Reflection
Kirsten Larson
NUR 4144
Dr. Ellcessor
When I began nursing school at Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing, I knew that
community service hours were required for the program. I had heard from other students that the
college commonly participated in community events and organized teams for volunteer work for
various agencies in the area. In high school I had been involved in a tutoring service with a local
church for local immigrants and had participated in the Adopt a Highway program with my
family. Because I was homeschooled, I was never required to have community service hours in
order to graduate high school. All the community service activities that I had participated in were
voluntary.
After hearing that service learning projects were required in many of the courses, I
assumed that they would be tedious hours of work with agencies that I would not be interested. I
thought that my classmates would be reluctant to participate in activities because it would be just
another assignment to complete. Because this nursing school has such a vigorous program, I
feared that the service learning projects would be taking valuable time away from my studies and
other assignments. Fortunately, my expectations were not met. I was able to collaborate with my
classmates to pick service learning projects with agencies that interested us. My classmate
participated enthusiastically and seemed to enjoy the projects. Performing community service
provided a relief from constant studying and helped me to better understand the role of the nurse
in the community.
The service learning projects opened my eyes to the disparities in the community. I saw
firsthand the effect of poverty and unemployment, and the limited access to healthcare,
especially mental health services. I was encouraged by the agencies already in the community.
The majority of the agencies I worked with for service learning projects had a holistic approach
SUMMATIVE REFLECTION 3
to providing services. The Salvation Army provides job training, food, clothes, and other basic
necessities to families in need. St. Joseph Villa provides education, after school programs, and a
clinic for children with learning disabilities and those from troubled homes. The amount of
Growing up, my family would give time or money to various agencies to help others,
especially those under the poverty threshold. My parents tried to instill in me the idea that those
under the poverty threshold are not that different from ourselves. Sometimes circumstances
outside their control cause them to not be able to afford what they need. This idea was reinforced
through my service learning opportunities. Many of the individuals and families I met were
similar to my own and I learn to appreciate the differences we did have, especially the cultural
ones.
Responding
While there are many resources and community agencies available, the needs of the
community exceed what is available. Many of the people who are unemployed cannot find new
jobs because they lack the education and training. Access to food and health care remains a big
issue for many people. Those who are unemployed may not be able to afford food and do not
have insurance for healthcare. There are many neighborhoods in Richmond that are unsafe.
Children may be afraid to attend school because of the violence. Parents are unable to afford
after school care and are forced to leave their children alone at home. Unemployment has a
My classmates and I chose service learning experiences that mainly addressed the effects
of poverty and being unemployed. My first service learning project involved after school tutoring
of refugee children. By giving academic support, the children have a better chance of succeeding
SUMMATIVE REFLECTION 4
in school and obtaining better jobs. Other service learning opportunities involved helping with
after school care for children in troubled homes and helping families register for Angel Tree, a
service that provides Christmas gifts to meet the childrens needs and wishes.
Reflection on Service-learning
agencies. I enjoyed getting to know more members of the Richmond community and being
involved in a solution to its needs. I have learned that nurses can be important resources for
helping to strengthen the community and I have seen through the service-learning projects how I
can practically do so. I have already been involved with a local free clinic and plan on
time. I was not purposeful in my reasoning behind participating in activities. Through learning
about different health initiatives and the factors that influence health, I understand better the
My experiences in nursing school for the service learning projects has exposed me to the
variety of volunteer opportunities available. Many of the activities I participated in did not
require special training or education. I tutored Nepalese refugee children and helped them with
their schoolwork after school. I worked with classmates to provide crafts for kids in the St.
Josephs Villas after school program. At Little Sisters of the Poor, all I did was sit and talk with
the residents. This semester, I entered in data on a computer to register children to receive
Christmas gifts.
SUMMATIVE REFLECTION 5
and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern (2017). Civic
engagement can be things as simple as picking up trash on the side of the road. It can also
involve participating in local government and even running for government positions. Anyone
can have civic engagement and it is not necessary to have special qualifications or training. All
that is needed is the ability to see the needs in the community and performing activities that help
After I graduate, I hope to volunteer at a free clinic in my county. This clinic provides
care to those under the poverty threshold. The organization that runs the clinic also has a food
pantry, clothes closet, emergency housing, and home repair crew. Eventually I hope to obtain a
masters or doctorate as a nurse practitioner and either open or work at a family clinic in a rural
Reference
http://www.apa.org/education/undergrad/civic-engagement.aspx.