Faculty Presentations Faculty Presentations: Gerri-Lyn Boyden

The Intersection of Community Nursing and Service-learning in Baccalaureate Nursing Curricula: A Mixed Methods Study

Full list of poster authors

• MaryBeth Vieira
• Susan Hunter Revell, PhD, RN
• Gerri-Lyn Boyden, PhD, RN, PMH-BC, CNE
• Maryellen Brisbois, PhD, RN, PHCNS-BC

Conference where poster was previously displayed

NELNE (formerly MARLIN) Fall 2024 Conference

Poster abstract

Introduction

The need to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice and health equity in the population is widely recognized. Service-learning exposes students to the context of health in the community. Through learning about the social determinants of health in action, students may better understand healthcare dynamics. As future nurses, students can leverage this knowledge to address differences and work towards health equity to improve the health of populations.  

Background

Nurse educators have long recognized the significant place of community nursing within the profession with inclusion of didactic and clinical courses in curricula. More recently, immersive service-learning courses have been added alongside community nursing courses. Nurse educators need to understand how service-learning and community clinical experiences are similar and different to deliver effective pedagogy, but evidence is limited.  

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to measure students’ perceptions of congruencies and differences in learning in their service-learning and community clinical experiential learning courses. 

Methods

Students who completed both courses during the 2023-2024 academic year were invited to participate (N=130, n=13). The Service Learning in Nursing Inventory was utilized to measure students’ perceptions. Open-ended questions were evaluated for themes to determine the similarities and differences between courses. 

Outcomes/results

Similarities in learning included strengthening core values, increasing cultural awareness, and developing collaborative relationships. Leadership, team building, and time management were areas strengthened by the students’ service-learning experiences. 

Discussion

Both experiential learning courses offer strong opportunities for students to further develop professional nursing values and skills beyond traditional acute care settings. Students reported that both courses strengthened their understanding of the impact of social determinants of health on health equity. The results of this study support inclusion of both service-learning and community clinical courses in nursing curricula, as the same goal is reached, but from different perspectives.  

Recommendations

Further investigation of the relationship between service-learning and nursing experiential learning should be continued. The demand to address the social determinants of health to improve health outcomes is significant. Nursing education is well positioned to prepare students who enter the nursing workforce ready to address health equity.