Running head: SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE1

Service Learning Experience

Carrie Hallihan

Ferris State University

SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE 2

Introduction

Completing the RN to BSN program with FSU includes many areas of learning. One of

the areas of enhanced learning during the course of the program is a service learning project.

Nursing students are required to choose a place to complete a minimum of 20 hours of their time

throughout the Ferris State University RN-BSN program in a professional healthcare setting that

is outside their current place of work. This should be a health related service that is provided,

not necessarily related directly to nursing. Service learning gives the nursing student heightened

skillset, a real life experience, and makes them understand volunteerism in a way they may never

experience outside of this program. The role of service learning within the RN to BSN program

is to expand nurse’s growth and self-development within the profession. Service learning is

defined as a “course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students (a)

participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and (b)

reflects on the service activity in such a way to gain further understanding of the course content,

a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility” (Bringle

& Hatcher, 1995).

In the past few years, I’ve been interested in volunteering with an organization that gives

back to the community. I feel there is so much more I can give of myself. There is great internal

reward in helping others. This service learning project helped jump start my desire to fulfill this

interest. The American Red Cross (ARC) takes great pride in their volunteers and demonstrates

compassion towards human suffering and need. By volunteering with the American Red Cross,

I’ve experienced what it means to give back to the community, a greater appreciation for the

services we need in the communities such as blood drives, serve others than myself, able to

SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE 3

deliver the care and compassion that I hold strongly in my heart, and enhance my learning as a

community nurse.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has been a symbol of help and volunteerism since the very

beginning. Clara Barton started this organization in 1881. Her leadership, caring, compassion,

and strong-willed attitude helped transform a small idea into what we consider to be one of the

selfless humanitarian organizations to date. Did you know that “volunteers carry out 90% of the

humanitarian work of the American Red Cross?” (American Red Cross, 2017). What is great

about this organization is that their presence can be seen all around the world with a simple

symbol; a red cross. What they can do for people when they’re facing the worst of trials is

amazing. It seems no matter the circumstance, when people see the symbol of the red cross they

know help is on the way.

The American Red Cross plays many roles in the service they provide. “The American

Red Cross provides five services disaster relief, support of American military families, blood

donation, health and safety services, and international services “(American Red Cross, 2017).

Compassionate care is at the heart of the American Red Cross. Through generous donors,

volunteers, and the staff of the American Red Cross, amazing things are being done in local

communities and across the world. Within the American Red Cross West Michigan region, they

provide the same services but also offer many volunteer opportunities. The following options

include: transportation drivers and dispatchers, disaster volunteers, disaster duty officer,

receptionist volunteers, Spanish line interpreters, community events volunteer, blood service

volunteers, and health and safety services volunteer instructors.

SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE 4

Service Learning Role

The service that I provided was welcoming and representing the American Red Cross

(ARC) in the community at local blood drives. Life is a gift and I can’t think of a better way to

serve in the community than with blood drives supported by the ARC. Every 56 days the ARC

holds a blood drive around the area. The various duties that I provided during the blood drives

included: welcoming them in the doors and providing safety as they moved through our stations,

making sure they checked in using our computer system, registering first time blood donors as

well as existing donors, providing answers to any questions or concerns they had regarding

giving blood, educating the community on what to expect during the blood donation process,

providing helpful information after they’ve given blood, and thanking them for coming in to

donate their time and blood. On occasion, I would make sure they received a light refreshment

and snack before they left our facilities. Through my caring and compassionate demeanor, I

made sure that every person that came through our doors had an exceptional experience. It was a

great feeling to know I was a small part of such a lifesaving act.

Critical Reflection

I had a vision of how the blood drives were going to run initially but after completing my

hours with the ARC, it wasn’t anything like I had originally thought. My first experience

volunteering with ARC, I thought there may be more generation X or millennials donating blood

vs. baby boomers but in all actuality, there was equal amount among then all. I thought I might

have to complete my volunteering near the larger cities like Grand Rapids or Lansing. Through

information received from ARC administration, I was given options in rural areas close to my

home where blood drives were going to take place. I assumed that volunteers who were also

RNs could volunteer in the actual blood drawing process but ARC does not allow this due to

SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE 5

liability issues. I had a very limited idea of exactly how many services ARC provides to our

local communities and didn’t realize the extensive areas they serve until I began volunteering at

various blood drives talking with ARC staff.

I am very grateful for the service learning opportunity and I have a better understanding

and appreciation for the ARC services including blood drives. Even after I complete my BSN, I

would like to continue volunteering for this wonderful organization. I think it’s important to

give back in one way or another because we’re truly built to do much more with our lives. I

truly believe this service learning experience gave me a better understanding of volunteering in

the community, being more aware of the needs of the community, and the importance of

donating blood to help people live.

Synthesis

After completion of the service learning experience, it is best to analyze the experience.

Bailey, Carpenter, and Harrington (2002) clearly state, “It is essential that students critically

reflect on their service experiences if they are to connect what they see and do in the community

with what is occurring in the academic setting (p 435).” The service learning experience is

required as a way to enhance the nurse’s learning through real life experiences in the community.

It is also a way for nurses to fulfill the BSN outcomes of the program. The Ferris State

University’s RN to BSN states that the “service learning project is designed to help students

learn the value of volunteering time to a healthcare related cause or agency” (Pre-Licensure BSN

Program, 2016, p 41). I have a better understanding of what it means to be a volunteer in the

community.

Also, this service learning experience fulfilled a couple of the BSN outcomes in which

we are to complete before graduation. One of those outcomes was professionalism. My service

SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE 6

learning experience with the ARC “demonstrated a level of professionalism that is congruent

with the inherent values, ethics and behaviors of the discipline of nursing” (Ferris State

University, 2015). As a nurse in the professional healthcare world, I know the importance of

acting professional and abiding by the values, ethics, and behaviors of nursing at all times. It’s

not only a reflection of who I am as a person but also a part of the career path I chose. Another

outcome I believe my service learning project has met relates to the health care environment. As

a nurse, we are to “advocate for improving health care across the continuum of health care

environment” (Ferris State University, 2015). As a nurse volunteering at the ARC blood drives,

I am passionate about improving the health of others and see the value in donating blood. It’s a

wonderful opportunity and for those that came out to donate, I thanked them and told them to

come again. After this experience, I have a new perspective on volunteering and the amazing

benefits that the ARC provides to improve health care needs. The last program outcome I feel

my service learning experience met was in generalist nursing practice. A BSN prepared nurse

needs to “organize the interdisciplinary health care needs of diverse populations across the

lifespan toward achieving the goal of healthy individuals, families, groups and communities”

(Ferris State University, 2015). The ARC blood drives touch many different people’s lives from

all different backgrounds, religions, age, and health history. I was able to work alongside the

ARC staff who are committed to improving health of all different backgrounds and working

together to help. I do believe that the service learning project is beneficial for RN to BSN

students because it gives them greater insight to community needs of today.

SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE 7

References

American Red Cross. (n.d.). What We Do. Retrieved on October 17, 2013 from

http://www.redcross.org/what-we-do

American Red Cross. (n.d.) A Brief History of the American Red Cross. Retrieved on January 2,

2017 from http://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/history

Bailey, P., Carpenter, D., & Harrington, P. (2002). Theoretical foundations of service-learning in

nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 41(10), 433-436.

Bringle, R., & Hatcher, J. (1995). A service-learning curriculum for faculty. Michigan Journal of

Community Service Learning, 2, 112-122.

Ferris State University. (2015). School of nursing; Portfolio guidelines and evaluationprocess;

Prelicensure BSN program.  Retrieved from:

http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/BSN-program-outcomes.htm

Ferris State University Pre-Licensure BSN Program. (2016). Service Learning Policy. Retrieved

from https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/BSN/pdfs-docs/Sevice-Learning-BSN-Policy-Procedure-Fall-2016.pdf ; p. 40-41.

SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE 8

Appendix