Enact the role of service as a professionally educated member of society. For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give the more you have. And if you go to draw at the true fountainhead, the more you draw, the more abundant it's flow. ~Inspirational nursing quote by Antoine de Saint
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Selected Evidence to Meet Outcome ReflectionMy first foray into service in a nursing capacity was an education project brought into an elementary school. I was comfortable with this venues as I had previous experience volunteering at my children's school. Primary prevention and health promotion are quintessential elements in a nursing repertoire. Teaching at schools about healthful eating is something that can definitely have an impact among young children. This topic would not have been covered had it not been for my partner and I, and we were able to give accurate information based on being professionally educated. This project has a focus on direct patient care, we implemented a program that was given to an immediate group of people. This was a great way to begin community health, and as I went further into my education I began to broaden my focus and look more to serving the community, gearing service projects to benefit more people. I have been active in Delta Iota Chi, which is a community service based nursing organization. Being a member of this group gave me the opportunity to serve communities, and showed me that being in a group can increase the amount of people served. I participated in a wellness fair, an event was a broad spectrum event that organized many different areas of public health and compiled them for the community. This is an effective way to serve the community, where families can receive information on general health, dental health, child safety, and finding primary care providers. At Homeless Connect, I was able to provide patient care as well in a setting that is geared toward the community. At this event I participated more in the nursing role. It was exciting and extremely fulfilling. The community is aware of its own needs, and there are many excellent outreach and health organizations that are available to the population. As a professionally educated nurse, I feel it is my responsibility to be aware of the different organizations in order to refer my patients to them. Health care can be intimidating to the public, and there are many resources available that families in need can utilize, and I feel one role I can fill is to serve the population is to be a referral link and liaison to various causes. This has value because rather than working with a finite amount of people I am able to assist many to find the services they need. Researching trends in adolescent sexual behavior was a fulfilling endeavor. I was able to fully use my nursing skill set of research, critical thinking, and apply evidence based practice to a service project. The project I was completing was something that has not been done, can be beneficial to an entire community. The focus of this project is broad, and can do the most good for the most people. This project has helped me learn that there are many ways to serve your community rather than in direct patient care. A nurses skills are not only clinically based. As a nurse I have the ability to critically think, enact interventions that are community driven, and have the ability to collaborate with the community to find the best intervention that the community wants. Future PlansAs I have progressed with my nursing care, my focus of how to enact the role of service has expanded as well. The most effective form of service is to help support policy change and legislative measures that will change the culture and improve the health of the maximal number of patients. I firmly intend to continue serve my community in a nursing capacity, in policy development, mass venture organization, and direct care. Initially I plan to work in an acute care setting, but will continue to volunteer at my children's schools. The schools perform many screening based interventions and have a need for licensed personnel to assist. I look forward to being able to assist the school nurses in this capacity. I also plan to volunteer for projects that interest me in the community, visiting the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department to see in which capacity I may offer my services. Once my husband finishes school, in five years, I plan to leave the acute care setting and work primarily in public health at the Health Department, working on projects to improve the quality of life in my community. |
EvidenceJunior Year Certificate This certificate demonstrates my participation in the blood drive, where I assisted in promoting the event and volunteering at the canteen table, in addition to participating in raising money and walking at relay for life. Wellness Fair Certificate This certificate indicates my participation at the Wellness Fair, where I relieved people and manned a table that provided promotional material. Senior Year Certificate This certificate signifies being co-coordinator for the fall blood drive. Health Promotion Teaching Project This project was based on Healthy People 2010 Goals, to improve the nutrition and health of children. Our project was researched and based on reliable sources. Homeless Connect This was an event I participated in providing immunizations to an at risk population. Community Health Project This project sought to utilize the nursing process to assess a population and demographic and determine what in the environment was preventing adolescents from utilizing the PLU Wellness Center. |
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The basic tenet of being a professional is to hold to the ethical standards of your calling in your personal life as well as your career. One way that nurses are most effective is in the community, and I feel my evidence supports the ideals of service.: 
