Running head: SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 1

Service Learning Proposal

Sydonie Stock
NURS 250
Ferris State University

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 2
Abstract
In order to meet all the requirements of the College of Nursing, each student is required to
complete sixty hours of work related to Service Learning. Forty hours of the sixty will be
dedicated to the volunteer activity. Service Learning is defined by the nursing faculty of Ferris
State University as work donefor anotherby studentsoutside assigned program
activities[that is] expected to enhance their professional development and should be related to
health care (Service Learning Requirements, 2011). The health care related volunteer service I
have the opportunity to provide is to work with the NURS 241 Technical Skills Lab. I will be
able to assist the first semester nursing students master the skills they will need in their future
careers. I will also tutor students to prepare them for the math competency exams they will take,
ensuring the new nurses will be less likely to make a medication administration error.

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 3
Service Learning Proposal
The Service Learning assignment is an important part of learning to be a nurse. Service
Learning is a form of practical experience that enhances learning in all areas of a nursing
program, and the experience of service learning reinforces the moral and civic values inherent in
serving others (Service Learning Requirements, 2011). With this experience I will become a
better nurse, better equipped to assist my patients, and better prepared for my future.
Groh and Stallwood (2011) said about Service Learning, it is not a course or a
discipline, but rather a method of teaching that engages students in hands-on activities (p. 1).
The authors believed that students participating in Service Learning gained more leadership
experience. They conducted a quantitative descriptive study comparing pre- and post-service-
learning scores. The scores focused on self-perception of leadership skills and social justice
(p. 2).
Comparing the pre- and post- surveys, the authors found that there was a positive shift in
all the survey categories but one. The only category that had a negative shift was healing,
defined as care of self and others under leadership skills (Groh & Stallwood, p. 2). Two
explanations for this negative shift could be because the nursing student realized that the
agencies often put the health of the population above the health of individuals, making it difficult
for the nurse to promote individual health. Or, it was suggested, the nursing student did
everything in his or her power to make a positive health impact, but the subject was not receptive
to the change (p. 5).
Agency Description
The agency I will be working with during my Service Learning time will be Ferris State
Universitys College of Nursing, specifically the NURS 241 Technical Skills Lab.
SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 4
Ferris State University College of Nursing, BSN program website states, the nursing
faculty have designed an innovative pre-licensure program that has a very strong clinical focus
(Colley). Part of this clinical focus is the NURS 241 class, where the new nursing students learn
the basic skills they will need when they start in their clinical sites. Clinical is where the student
goes to a hospital or other health service organization to learn hands-on the job expectations of a
registered nurse. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares their students to care for
patients in any setting, acute care or community, and at any point in the patients life. It is
designed to prepare the nursing leaders of tomorrow (Colley).
Volunteer Role Description
My role during this Service Learning experience will be one of an educational leader. I
will work collaboratively with Professor Smith in assisting the students of her NURS 241 class.
I will do everything I can to help teach the new nursing students develop the skills they need to
progress in the program and in their future careers. Though I do not currently plan to continue
my education to become a Professor, I will be expanding my own vision and role as a student to
take on this challenge of mentoring and tutoring the new students.
Objectives as Related to the Program
The objectives I will meet while completing the Service Learning experience can be
found in the Handbook for Student Nurses (2012). These objectives are: Collaboration,
diversity, ethical community, excellence, learning, and opportunity (p. 10). These goals are an
important aspect of the nursing curriculum because, in meeting them, the student nurse will
become well rounded and more professional. Working with the new students will give me
experiences I would never have otherwise received. With the knowledge I gain about myself
SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 5
during this time, I will become a better leader and a better nurse. But, like everything
worthwhile, meeting these goals will come with hard work.
Activities to Meet Objectives
The Service Learning experience I have the opportunity to participate in will not give me
the chance to meet all the objectives. During my time working with the NURS 241 class, I will
do my best to complete them.
Collaboration
Within the College of Nursing, collaboration focuses on the nurse working with his or her
peers and with interdisciplinary health care team members (Handbook, 2012). During my time
in the Technical Skills Lab, I will be working closely with Professor Smith. I will collaborate
with the new nursing students to find the best way they learn and help them through their first
semester.
Diversity
The Student Handbook (2012) asserts that Ferris State University encourages students to
embrace a diversity of ideas, beliefs and cultures (p. 10). There will not be much opportunity
for diversity. That depends on the students in the class. The extent of my diversity will probably
be limited to working with older adults, returning to school, and any foreign students.
Ethical Community
The School of Nursing teaches each student to follow the Nursing Code of Ethics and to
practice guided by the values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice
(Handbook, p. 10). We are taught by our parents the difference between right and wrong and in
nursing school these lessons are solidified. Working with Professor Smith, I will have the
SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 6
opportunity to ensure the next class of graduating nurses will be ethical, will always do the right
thing for the patient.
Excellence
Ferris State University School of Nursing teaches evidence based practice, giving the
highest standard of care, and excelling in all aspects of nursing (Handbook, p. 10). I will be able
to watch the new students excel in their skills as they learn each new aspect of being a nurse.
While I am helping the new students, I will be brushing up on my own skills, meaning I will
demonstrate excellence in nursing as well.
Learning
The School of Nursing utilizes a Learner-Centered teaching style that requires the student
to think critically about the subject material, and evidence based practice is taught ensuring the
students are getting the most up-to-date education possible (Handbook, p.10). While helping in
the Technical Skills Lab, I will be part of ensuring the new students learn evidence based
practice. The students will most likely have questions about Learner-Centered teaching, and I
will be able to explain what that means and how they can prepare for all of their classes.
Opportunity
The School of Nursing provides nursing programs that prepare professional nurses to
practice in a rapidly changing global health care environment (p.10). My Service Learning plan
will not give me the opportunity to work with real patients, or in a new health care setting.
However, I will be able to work closely with the nursing faculty and with the incoming nursing
students. This in itself is an opportunity that most nursing students will not have. It is an
experience I never thought I would want. But I am looking forward to working with the next
two cohort students and helping them in any way I can.
SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 7
Evaluation Plan
At the end of my Service Learning time, I will want to evaluate the effect I had or did not
have on the students Id been working with. At, or near, the end of the semester I will ask the
students to fill out and return to me the evaluation form found in Appendix B. I will then
analyze the responses and determine how well I succeeded in my goal to help the incoming
Nursing students. I will be working with two different cohort groups during my Service
Learning time, so I will be able to make adjustments based on the suggestions of the first group
to better help the second.

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 8
Appendix A
SERVICE LEARNING AGENCY CONTACT FORM

Agency Name:_Ferris State University College of Nursing___________

Contact Person:_Professor Margaret Smith________________________

Contact Phone:_(231) 591-3111_________________________________

Contact Email:_smithm65@ferris.edu ____________________________

Contact Address:_ Ferris State University College of Nursing__________

VFS 305 ____________________________________

Description of Agency and Type of Service Learning Student will be engaged in:

I will be assisting Professor Smith in NURS 241 Technical Skills Lab by answering student
questions and helping them prepare for the clinical setting by mastering the skill taught in the
Lab. I will also tutor students from all sections outside of class to prepare them for the
Medication Administration Math Competency exams.



Signature of Agency Representative (Agreeing to student volunteer):


Printed or typed name


Signature


SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 9
Appendix B
Evaluation Form
Please circle the appropriate number:
1 representing NO, 3 representing UNSURE, and 5 representing YES
Do you think having Sydonie in your NURS 241 Technical Skills Lab helped you master
the skills you learned?
1 2 3 4 5
Do you think you understand the theory behind the skills better because of the assistance
Sydonie gave?
1 2 3 4 5
Did you attend any of the Math Tutoring Sessions?
1 2 3 4 5
Did these tutoring sessions help you understand the math?
1 2 3 4 5
If you did not go to the Math Tutoring Sessions, would you if offered the opportunity
again?
1 2 3 4 5
Please give any suggestions on how I could have improved my time with you:




Thank you!
SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL 10
References
Handbook for undergraduate student nurses: Supplement to the Ferris State University code of
student community standards. (2012). Ferris State University College of Health
Professions School of Nursing.
http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/RN-to-BSN/Handbook-for-
Undergrad-Nursng-Students-2012.pdf.
Groh, C. J., & Stallwood, L. G. (2011). SERVICE-LEARNING in nursing education: Its impact
on leadership and social justice. Nursing Education Perspectives, 32(6), 400-405.
Colley, Sharon L., PhD, MSN, RN, CNE. (2012). Welcome from the program coordinator.
College of Health Professions.
http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/BSN/home-RN-program.htm.