Running head: SUMMATIVE REFLECTION 1

Summative Service-Learning Reflection

Kirsten Larson

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

NUR 4144

Dr. Ellcessor

October 25, 2017

I pledge. Kirsten Larson

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Noticing and Interpreting

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
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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

resources in the Richmond area surprised me.

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

greater effect on individuals and families than I had originally thought.

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
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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

Because of my service learning opportunities, I want to stay involved with community

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

volunteering there after graduation.

Before nursing school, I saw service learning opportunities as something to do in my free

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

importance of community involvement through volunteering. It is another way that I can

improve my patients health.

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.
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Reflection on Civic Engagement

According to the American Psychological Association, civic engagement is individual

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

meet those needs.

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

setting where access to healthcare is limited.

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Reference

American Psychological Association. (2017). Civic engagement. Retrieved from

http://www.apa.org/education/undergrad/civic-engagement.aspx.