Developing non-traditional experiences to enhance student learning within the community

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Joyce Bredesen

Metropolitan State University, USA

: J Nurs Patient Care

Abstract

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With the high demand of clinical sites and placements needed for students within the community setting, the creation of sustainable academic-community partnerships provides a challenging yet exciting opportunity for development of programming. While community health nursing faculty have a well-established history of utilizing clinical sites with a broad range of learning opportunities for students, the need for clinical sites is increasing. Experiences within the community, collaboration and coordination of care across disciplines are crucial to understand and manage the complexities of health in today’s world; especially with our ageing population and increase in chronic conditions. Community Health Nurse Educators are charged with preparing students to work with vulnerable and underserved populations. Involving nursing students in the assessment, planning, and implementation process for setting up community Wellness Centers assists in developing leadership skills. Delivery of care and access to services, especially for underserved populations, is further enhanced by having the nursing students modify services through continued assessment and evaluation of the needs of the populations they are working with. A School of Nursing within an urban area partnered with community members to develop a Wellness Center, focusing on the needs of underserved populations. This partnership has developed inter-professional educational opportunities that offer the nursing students a unique experience in relationship building that assists in developing trust and respect, as well as having direct contact with the public. Collaborating, setting role expectations, and developing shared goals, provides the new baccalaureate nurse competencies that will assist in yielding better patient outcomes. Contribution to Nursing Profession- Student Experience: • Unique community based collaborative partnerships developed to enhance student clinical experiences. • Increased access to health care for underserved populations through student services. • Opportunity for nursing students to develop community based competency skills (communication, collaboration, leadership). • Empowerment of community and students through intra and inter professional collaboration.

Biography

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Joyce Bredesen, DNP, RN, PHN, is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Metropolitan State University in St Paul, Minnesota. Her expertise and passion is teaching public health nursing. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate nursing courses primarily in Public Health Nursing. She also is faculty advisor for DNP students and their projects. Her research interests are working primarily with underserved populations. Her most recent research includes work with PhotoVoice and Parkinson’s disease. She has done research with the homeless population in Minnesota, as well as women’s health care issues in both India and Senegal.