Student Perspectives of Service Learning with Older Adults Carol Bashford ABD, RN, ACNS,BC Karen Brown MSN, RN OAGE Conference Bowling Green, OH April 2015

Purpose of Study To explore how utilizing service learning experiences enhances student knowledge and skills to promote the health of older adults in CCRCs.

What We Did: Service Learning Setting: Assisted Living, Dementia and Skilled Care Units at CCRCs ▪ A. Elder with Student partners  Individualized interventions  B. Student developed and led  Group Activity Interventions  Evidence Based Practice

The Gerocompetencies of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice  Professional attitudes, values & expectation with older adults  Use valid and reliable assessment tools  Intervene to assist older adults to achieve personal goals  Assess barriers to receive & give information  Recognize the complexity of care for older adults

What We Did Approved by Miami University IRB Data Collection ▪ Informed Consent with students ▪ Structured Surveys: three groups ▪ Data collected at end of 12 weekly interactions with elder partners and groups of older adults

Findings: Increases in…  Personal satisfaction  Professional development  Awareness of unmet community needs  Self awareness  Self Confidence  Understanding of older adults  Empathy for older adults  Communication skills  Feelings and attitudes about elders

Descriptive Results Summary

Discussion Placement In curriculum: Final semester seniors as compared to students taking the course earlier in the curriculum. Lower perceived increases in: ▪Critical thinking ▪Preparedness for practice as an RN

Service Learning Implications Significant increases in: ▪Awareness of unmet community needs ▪Feelings of empathy toward older adults ▪Communication skills ▪Feelings or attitudes regarding older adults ▪Self-awareness

Conclusions ▪ Beneficial and enriching to students ▪ Supports service learning pedagogy ▪ Incorporates Health Promotion for elders ▪ Supports Essential Gero-Competencies for the BSN prepared professional RN ▪ Placement in the curriculum matters

Questions?

References American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2010). Recommended baccalaureate competencies and curricular guidelines for the nursing care of older adults: A Supplement to the essentials of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice. Retrieved from: nursing/AACN_Gerocompetencies.pdf Cavanaugh, J. C. (2001). Learning and doing: The Importance of service learning in gerontology. Educational Gerontology (27), QSEN Institute: Case Western Reserve University. (2014). Competencies. Retrieved from: