Open AccessTransformative learning in nursing students through a service learning project with a vulnerable community
Author(s) -
Amanda S. Eymard,
Pamela Breaux,
Kimberly Dozar
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of nursing education and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1925-4059
pISSN - 1925-4040
DOI - 10.5430/jnep.v3n3p35
Subject(s) - transformative learning , service learning , nursing , poverty , population , empathy , psychology , nurse education , health promotion , medical education , medicine , pedagogy , public health , political science , social psychology , environmental health , law
Transformative learning is the phrase used by the authors to describe nursing students’ learning that occurred during a service learning project. Nursing faculty and nursing students visited a population of impoverished children in an after school program and provided education regarding health promotion and injury prevention. Students designed teaching plans regarding topics identified in a needs assessment: (1) injury prevention related to safety, (2) nutrition, (3) physical fitness, (4) health, and (5) bullying. A qualitative analysis of student journals was completed. The students viewed themselves as change agents, and reflected on their stereotypes, and prejudices regarding children living in poverty, and caring for this population.