Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114514

Mary K. Proksch, EdD, RN, Loretta Heights Department of Nursing, Regis University, 3333 Regis Boulevard, G-8, Denver, CO 80221, 303-458-4332, mproksch@regis.edu

Service learning has become a part of the curriculum in many institutions of higher education. Gaining insight into the process of developing a spirit of volunteerism and expertise in working with diverse and disadvantaged families has the potential for strengthening and expanding nursing curricula to meet today's students' clinical needs and tomorrow's public health care reality. This grant funded study provided an opportunity for BSN students to work one-on-one with high risk families with children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years of age, children that typically fall through the crack between baby steps' programs and entrance into public school systems. The sample for this study consisted of eight nursing students (three traditional students, three RN-BSN students, and two graduate students). The students self-selected to participate in this study. Using a qualitative case study design, sixty to ninety minute, semi-structured taped interviews were conducted with each participant. The setting was a state university, a community health program, and a multi-specialty clinic in a midwestern US county. The study was conducted in 2003-2004. Although service learning was not identified as one of the objectives for this study, findings revealed incidental service learning occurred; that is, openness and sensitivity to cultural diversity, increased awareness of the special needs of high risk families, and an increased likeness to volunteer to serve the underserved/vulnerable populations within the community. The students' perceived ability to serve high risk families were self-reported as increased as a result of this experience. Interesting to note that the graduate nursing students, who did not work directly with the high risk families, also reported many of the same incidental service learning attributes after attending the weekly seminars and grading the students' weekly documentation. This study provides insight into how student nurses gain confidence and expertise in working with high risk families, become aware of community resources and some of the barriers to access to these resources, and the potential benefit of choosing a career in public health nursing.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• List five positive outcomes from a public health student practicum serving high risk families;
• Describe what students might expect when working with high risk families.

Keywords: Nursing Education, Special Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.