Travel. Experience. Grow - Service Learning and the BSN Nursing student

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Service-learning for the Undergraduate Nursing student, provides the opportunity to gain practical skills, help communities, and allow the student the opportunity for self-reflection (Jarrell, Ozymy, Gallagher, Hagler, Corral & Hagler, 2014). Service Learning for students at this level of their education encourages the opportunity for professional growth and insight into their cultural competence. Students rarely have the opportunity to leave their home country, to venture into other communities abroad, and completely immerse themselves in a culture while providing care to the population. Since the year 2000, the College of Medicine at Nova Southeastern University has conducted bi-annual mission trips to the island of Jamaica in June and December. Over the years this mission has grown to include the Colleges of Dentistry, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Pharmacy. More recently in keeping with our mission of becoming “nationally and internationally recognized for preparing transformational leaders in health care who are valued for excellence in nursing practice, education, and research,” the College of Nursing has joined the mission to share in this opportunity to offer the Undergraduate student clinical experience in Caribbean populations. In the Summer of 2017, a team of 3 nursing faculty members along with nine nursing students took flight to Kingston, Jamaica to work shoulder to shoulder with their health professional counterparts in the primary role of health promotion and health education. This immersion in International services highlights the importance of service learning opportunities in improving cultural competency in the BSN nursing student.