Discipline Specific Curricular Threading of Service Learning: Incorporating within a Pediatric Nursing Course
Authors: Dr. Lydia Watkins, Dr. Patricia Kraft, Meredith Burch, Sara Giles, Jill Kerr, and Adia Roberson
Abstract:
Integration of service-learning through the nursing curriculum enhances the process of student involvement and development. Nursing faculty attended an intensive summer training program aimed at developing intellectual skills to foster incorporation of the service-learning concepts across the curriculum. In the Pediatric Nursing Course, the service-learning project is geared toward helping prevent accidents and promoting health. The project also 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.
