SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

Service Learning Proposal

(Kyle) Kurt Freund
Nursing 320
Michelle Teschendorf RNC, MSN, PhD(c), CNE

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

Abstract

Service Learning gives nurses striving towards their Bachelorette of Science in Nursing (BSN)
the opportunity to serve in the community while fulfilling the outcomes goals outlined by Ferris
State University. The paper shares how this will be obtained by (Kyle) Kurt Freund in being an
active member of the Native American Walk for Sobriety planning committee and volunteer on the
day of the walk at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The walk is to gain community
awareness of Native American struggles with addiction including alcoholism while encouraging
those still struggling by the first hand support of elders who have found their way towards letting
go of what gets in the way of who they are created to be.
Keywords: Service Learning, Native American, Addiction, Alcoholism, Recovery, Community
Awareness

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

Service Learning Proposal

INTRODUCTION:

Service Learning is an opportunity for nursing students to fulfill the outcomes of the
Ferris State University Bachelorette of Science in Nursing (BSN) while being a productive
member to the local medical community. 20 hours or more will be fulfilled through this project
along with appropriate documentation of the students progress towards outcome objective
fulfillment.
AGENCY DESCRIPTION:

Native American Walk for Sobriety has gathered on the second Saturday of June for over
20 years in a coordinated community effort to bring social awareness to West Michigan of the
effects and need for recovery of Native Americans from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Elders speak in original languages (Anishnaabe and Ojibwa) in prayer and encouragement then
translate in English. Singing/Drumming along with eagle feather honors are also part of the
ceremony before walking a four mile circle ending at the beginning. At the conclusion of the
walk starts the Council of Three Fires Riverside Park Pow Wow in which the walkers of the Red
Road to sobriety are honored and blessed by the elders and enter from the east side into a sacred
ceremonial circle. The Pow Wow (put on by the Grand Valley River Band) continues as the
walkers dance clockwise around the drummers/singers. After the Honoring of the Red Road
Travelers, the participants exit the dance area and enter the give way ceremony.
The Native American Walk for Sobriety has collected corporate and private donations to
support the cause. Water stations are set up every mile of the walk which four different tribes
sponsor with refreshments, encouragement, and lots of laughter. T-shirts sharing the message of
the walk are created and sold (given away to elders and volunteers) before and after the walk.
VOLUNTEER ROLE:

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

I will be an active member of the planning committee. This will also include being on the
medical coverage, 501c3, T-Shirt, route planning, and Michigan Home for Veterans coordination sub
committees. On June 15th I will coordinate medical coverage and see to the needs of our elders during
the walk.

ACHIEVEMENT OF PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: My planned service will help me achieve the

RN-BSN Program objectives as follows:

Collaborative Leadership
Provide collaborative leadership roles in the provision, delegation, and supervision of
nursing care while retaining accountability for patient safety and the quality of that care (Ferris
State University, 2013).
This is exemplified in the detailed understanding of my scope of practice, what I can
delegate, and my level of responsibility in the level of care I offer in assessment, treating minor
injuries, and triaging to more advanced medical care when necessary.
Theoretical Base for Practice
Integrate theories and knowledge from the arts, humanities, sciences and nursing to
develop a foundation for nursing practice (Ferris State University, 2013).
I will artistically bring together the mind of science, the personality of human
individuality, along with the heart of discovering the needs of patients and the dance towards
fulfilling them within a delicate flow of respectful balance. Elders are often skeptical of modern
medical practice if expressed without a respect for traditional medicine. I have and continue to
learn the ways of our elders teachings and will incorporate this in my approach towards
addressing participants medical needs and concerns.

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Generalist Nursing Practice

Organize the interdisciplinary health care needs of diverse populations across the
lifespan toward achieving the goal of healthy individuals, families, groups and communities
(Ferris State University, 2013).
This is the beauty of our world and the diversity of people we have the honor to serve.
My service learning will call me to be actively involved in the healthcare needs of our local
Native American population.
Health Care Environment
Advocate for improving health care across the continuum of health care environments
(Ferris State University, 2013).
We must let our actions and voices be heard clearly, without compromise, when the
environment of health care plummets below the standards of giving safe and ethical service. The
primary objective of the Native American Walk for Sobriety is to advocate for the Native
American Community to walk the Red Road of no drugs including alcohol. This is supported by
elders who remember the traditional values and encourage the community to embrace this sacred
way of living without anything getting in the way of who we are all created to be.
Professionalism
Demonstrate a level of professionalism that is congruent with the inherent values, ethics
and behaviors of the discipline of nursing, (Ferris State University, 2013).
The discovery of consistencies and variations regarding professionalism in serving
different populations and clinical scenarios will continue throughout the advancement of my
knowledge and practice in nursing and well beyond the procurement of my Ferris State
University BSN. In my Service Learning I will maintain the confidentiality of patient specific

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

details, cultural respect, and the welcoming of fellow students and facility into intertribal
volunteer opportunities.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES:
I will be active on the planning committee which meets for one to two hours weekly until
June 15th 2013. My obligations on the planning committee will include route planning, t-shirt
development, coordination with the activities director at the Michigan Home for Veterans, and
coordination of Medical coverage volunteers for the walk.
During the walk I will be active in singing/drumming during ceremonies, medical coverage
during the walk, and triaging. I will also communicate with an air conditioned bus for transportation
of walkers needing a ride to the next water station, Pow Wow grounds or medical facility.
Volunteering in these ways will give me the opportunity to work towards the FSU outcomes
while giving back to the Native American Community. Being a part of bringing those suffering from
the afflictions of alcoholism and addiction into a life of direction and peace is a way of healing for
my own family.
EVALUATION PLAN:
I will evaluate my own learning and the effects of my activities on the community by
distributing and reviewing surveys at the end of the walk.
GOAL STATEMENT:
I will journal my reflections of my experiences and open myself to peer review. At the end of
my volunteering I will ask for feedback from the chairperson of the organization
CONCLUSION:
Serving the Native American Community by participating in the community awareness walk
along with providing medical coverage will give me an opportunity to actively supporting my people

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

with the gifts and vocation I have and give me the opportunity to apply the skills I am continually
learning through my educational pursuits.

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

References

Ferris State University. (2013, April 12). BSN Program Outcomes. Retrieved from
Ferris State University Nursing:
http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/BSN-programoutcomes.htm

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Appendix A
RN to BSN Track
SERVICE LEARNING AGENCY CONTACT FORM
Agency Name:

Native American Walk for Sobriety

Contact Person:

Chairperson Crystal White

Contact Phone:

(616) 929-2441

Contact Email:

sweetserenity1967@live.com

Contact Address:

671 Davis Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Description of Agency and Type of Service Learning Student will be engaged in:
Native American Walk for Sobriety has gathered on the second Saturday of June for over
20 years in a coordinated community effort to bring social awareness to West Michigan of the
effects and need for recovery of Native Americans from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Signature of Agency Representative (Agreeing to student volunteer):
Crystal White, NASW Chairperson
Printed or typed name of Ferris University Student
(Kyle) Kurt Freund, RN, EMT-P
Signature
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Photo copy of signed contract

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