Discipline Specific Curricular Threading of Service-Learning: Incorporating within a Pediatric Nursing Course
Authors: Dr. Lydia Watkins, Dr. Patricia Kraft, and Hali Strayer
Abstract:
Integration of service-learning through the nursing curriculum (as well as any discipline-specific curriculum) enhances the process of student involvement and development. Nursing faculty attended an intensive training program aimed at developing intellectual skills to foster incorporation of the service-learning concepts across the curriculum. Each faculty member ensures their service learning project builds upon and greatly enhances the course objectives for that class. In the Pediatric Nursing Course in particular, the service-learning project is geared to help prevent accidents and promote health, and includes an evidence-based literature review of the top causes of morbidity, mortality, and accidents among various pediatric age groups. The development of an age-appropriate teaching project for a specific group of children and the presentation of the teaching project to those children occurs while working with our community partner in the local school system. During the following semester, the Community Nursing Course continues this thread while working with a broader population base.