Running head: SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

Service Learning Proposal Cheryl Veres Ferris State University

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL Abstract

The contents within this paper will cover the aspects of my service learning proposal. The paper will initially describe the purpose of the paper and the significance of service learning. The next portion of the paper will identify the agency I selected at which I will complete my service learning project, and the role the agency plays in the community. The discussion will continue with an explanation of my role as a volunteer for this agency, and what I hope to learn in regards to the objectives of the RN to BSN program at Ferris State University. Lastly, the paper will include an evaluation plan of how I will assess my learning and the effects of my service in the community.

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL Service Learning

Service learning is a concept that integrates learning experiences and community service opportunities. It is designed to provide students the reinforcement of civic and moral responsibilities and values, enrich nursing program educational goals, and promote community well-being. Service learning incorporates everyday practical experience that will inspire professional self-development and growth, and facilitate advancement in the nursing profession. Characteristics of service learning experiences are positive and meaningful. The service and learning aspects promote teamwork skills and community involvement, and tend to stimulate a more profound learning. On-the-spot problem solving opportunities with community issues will challenge personal concepts and beliefs, and encourage cognitive, social, and emotional reflection and development (National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, 2011) (Ferris State University: School of Nursing, 2011). Agency Description My participation in service learning will be fulfilled at the AuSable Free Clinic in Grayling, Michigan. According to the information pamphlets from the AuSable Free Clinic, it is a non-profit organization that offers free health services by professional and volunteer staff to clients who are uninsured and financially eligible from Crawford, Roscommon, Oscoda, and Montmorency counties. The clinic was formed in 2005 after nearly a year of planning by health and human service organizations, businesses, churches, schools and community leaders. The clinics motto is People of the community, caring for those in their community (AuSable Free Clinic, Inc., 2009). Their goal is to institute and support a means of attending to the issue of lacking accessible health care for those uninsured or financially incapable by: patient advocacy, program development, resource acquisition, and utilization of a health care network that is

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL

specialized in resolution of these problems without being extensively demanding or taxing to any one contributing source. The clinic is funded through fundraisers, community clubs and organizations, private donations, churches, and grants. The AuSable Free Clinic provides diagnostic and treatments services, laboratory tests, x-rays, and referrals for specialists, dentists, and ophthalmologists. The clinic also supplies free or low cost medications through the Medication Access Program (AuSable Free Clinic, Inc., 2009). Role Description My role at the clinic is to be a part of something bigger, to be a unit of something whole. The AuSable Free Clinic operates with the assistance of volunteers. I will be a person of the community serving the people of the community. I believe that participating in a volunteer program assists in boosting community morale and will also provide a positive role model. My role will be caregiver, advocate, educator, communicator, manager of self, and a member of a health care team. Being a volunteer at the clinic will provide me with both the role of a leader and of follower, instructor as well as effective listener, coordinator, organizer, and critical thinker. Objectives My objectives for completing my service learning project at the AuSable Free Clinic is that I will be able to attain a better understanding of the needs of the community as a whole as well as the individual patient. In this type of setting you get to spend more time with the patient and incorporate a variety of health care aspects. Volunteering at the clinic will expand my skills in patient health management, not just the immediate care. I will fortify my critical thinking skills and expand my knowledge in regards to utilization of health care delivery systems. It will hone my communication and research skills when attempting resource acquisition, as well as

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL improving patient and team member communication. Because I will be able to get a good overview of community needs, I hope to be able to use statistics to watch community trends in health care, and to see what educational areas may be deficient. If I am able to participate in a grant proposal, it will allow me an excellent opportunity to fine tune all of the writing applications that I have learned in my education. Gaining insight of different viewpoints and value systems will facilitate exploration of my own values and beliefs, and help me to provide a holistic nursing approach in patient care. Activities to Meet Objectives

Various volunteer health care providers, including physicians, physicians assistants, and family nurse practitioners, rotate on Thursday evenings, the one night a week that patients are seen. My role would be more consistent with what the RNs and LPNs provide five days a week. On the Thursday evenings they serve in the medication room and make sure that follow up charting has been completed as well as serving with medication acquisitions, doctors orders, and discharge instructions. They also meet with clients in the examination rooms to collect a brief history, chief complaint and the purpose of the visit, as well as obtaining and recording basic vital signs. I will also be assisting in support to the day to day operations of the clinic that include data entry and the Mediation Access Program. Another large aspect of these functions are researching and utilizing statistics and creating spreadsheets that will be incorporated into writing requests and proposals for grants and donations (AuSable Free Clinic, Inc., 2009). I would like to be able to coordinate a fundraiser event and possibly design some education materials for distribution. I am considering using preventative health care as my target subject for education. I also hope that I have opportunity to participate in the creation of a grant proposal.

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL Evaluation Plan When I have completed my volunteer service for the service learning project, I will assess the efficacy of my experience. I will able to identify if I have been effective in my roles

and have met my objectives by direct patient and community feedback. Is there an improvement in patient compliance because I have incorporated effective communication and education? An appropriate indication of this would be to look at specific patient return patterns and if there has been resolution or decrease to health care disparities for specific patients and the community as a whole. I can visualize the improvement or failing community needs by reviewing yearly statistics. If I have met my objectives I will be a more organized and efficient nurse. Staying in tune with my own personal attitudes will help to identify if I have become a non-biased nurse, and can provide appropriate care without judgment. After this volunteer experience I should be able to evaluate and question areas that I still need to develop in order to continue to grow in my advancing nursing profession. Conclusion Service learning is an invaluable experience that can have huge implications toward the development of the personal and professional self. Incorporating service learning into the educational process is giving a clear advantage if utilized to its greatest capacity. Participating in service learning is an instrumental step in decision making for my future.

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL Contact Information Agency: AuSable Free Clinic, Inc. Contact Person: Bonnie Gaiser, BA Contact Phone: (989) 348-0740 Contact E-mail: bgaiser@trinity-health.org Contact Address: 1250 E. Michigan Ave Building D Grayling, MI 49738

SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL References AuSable Free Clinic, Inc. (2009). Information pamphlets. ETR Associates (2011). National service-learning clearinghouse. Retrieved from http://www.servinglearning.org Ferris State University: School of Nursing (2011). Service learning. Retrieved from Ferris State University web site: http://myfsu.ferris.edu