234558 Improving writing and health literacy in nursing and public health students: Implications for service learning

Monday, October 31, 2011

Helda L. Pinzon-Perez, PhD, CHES, RN , Departments of Public Health & Nursing, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA
Jose Arrezola , Public Health, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA
Kara N. Zografos, DrPH, MPH, CHES , Department of Public Health, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA
This presentation shows the results of a study conducted with 52 nursing students and 48 public health students to determine the effect of student literacy strategies on their writing, health literacy, and service-learning. The methodologies used were: (1) teaching them 15 nursing and public health data-bases for scientific research, (2) training them on plagiarism prevention, (3)allowing them to participate in two training sessions on scientific research, and (4) discussing service-learning opportunities in their specific disciplines. The data was collected through a 25-item questionnaire given as a pre-test in August, 2010 and as a post-test in December, 2010. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The results indicated significant differences in the pre and post-tests for writing skills and health literacy, particularly in the following areas: (1) use of CINAHL, National Institute of Nursing Research, Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library, CDC, and Google Scholar, (2) plagiarism prevention, and(3) how to conduct scientific research and its use for service learning. The the role of service learning on public health nursing and community health education is discussed.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Public health or related nursing

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the importance of teaching writing literacy methodologies to graduate nursing students 2. Analyze the role of service learning on public health nursing and community health education

Keywords: Education, Health Literacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I developed the research plan and participated in all research steps
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Academic Community Partnerships: e.g. service learning
See more of: Public Health Nursing