Rebekkah McConnell, RN - Home



Service LearningRebekkah McConnellFerris State UniversityNURS 325Service LearningService learning is the finest way to develop new skills, create leadership, enhance team work, and have a sense of achievement while working within the community. “Community service is a form of practical experience that enhances learning in all areas of a nursing program and the experience of community service reinforces the moral and civic values inherent in serving others” (Teschendorf, 2011). Service learning gives citizens the opportunity to serve their community in a positive way. There are many areas of service learning such as being part of a team, teaching, advocating, and participating in events, fundraisers, or donations. Volunteering allows you to demonstrate emotions, knowledge and skills, how well you work with others, and effectiveness of coping in stressful situations. DescriptionI chose to volunteer more than 20+ hours at the American Red Cross for this service learning project. “Red Cross volunteers provide relief to victims of disasters and help prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. “The American Red Cross has been the nation’s premier emergency response organization since 1881” (“Giving and Getting,” 2011). “The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work” (2011). There are five services the American Red Cross offers. They are as follows: helping the needy within the community; support and comfort military members and their families; gathering, processing, and dispensing/distributing blood and other blood products; educating professionals and citizens within the community; in addition to international relief and development programs. There are a wide range of team members that take part in volunteering or working for the American Red Cross. By volunteering it gives one a sense of achievement, developing new skills, constructing/building leadership skills, and most importantly, volunteering influences deprived citizens within the community in a positive way by bringing peace, joy, love, and happiness. Also, volunteering may assist in closing gaps between other communities, societies, and cultures.Role DescriptionAccording to the American Red Cross, “volunteering matches knowledge, skills, interests, and experiences of individuals with opportunities to serve their community” (2011). I believe that becoming an American Red Cross volunteer will prepare me to respond to disasters, help support blood drives, in addition to personally connecting with the families affected physically, emotionally, and financially by disasters and/or negative encounters they have come in contact with.To become a volunteer at the American Red Cross, the initial step in online orientation, then a background check, application, ‘tell us about yourself’ form, and interest form. There are many positions in which I have signed up for through the American Red Cross. I have signed up for the Disaster Action Team, various events and fundraisers, assisting with the Traverse City Cherry Festival-American Red Cross pin booth, teaching the citizens CPR initiative at the Grand Traverse Mall, starting/inserting IV’s in those who will be donating blood, in addition to filling blood canteens at local blood drives. It is very important for me to practice my roles as a registered nurse; while being part of the Disaster Action Team, teaching CPR, and starting/inserting IV’s in those who will be donating blood. Objectives and ActivitiesI believe being a volunteer for such a great organization will broaden my scope of practice not only as a nurse but as a citizen. It is pertinent that I be a professional; adhering to the Code of Ethics and Nurses Scope of Practice even when working with the community, respecting others decisions and wishes, having the ability to cope in difficult situations, and comfort while one is grieving. It will be essential that I will have the capability to handle a countless number of emotions and various levels of stress, in addition to respecting and understanding numerous cultures, languages, and individual life styles. I anticipate feeling as though I have completed a good deed; make a difference is someone’s life, develop new skills, and enhance my leadership and team work skills, just to name a few. Evaluation PlanVolunteering for the American Red Cross will help determine my strengths and weaknesses and apply them to both inside and outside of my profession as a registered nurse. I will also assess how well I applied my knowledge, skills, and attitude to real life situations. Learning from working as a volunteer will bring me strength while working in the hospital; coping, comforting, how to overcome stressful situations, and what areas need improvement? After volunteering, I will view the community in a different (positive) way, encouraging not only myself by others to volunteer as well. It is a possibility that in my future nursing career, I will reconsider the direction of upcoming education and career plans. Contact InformationAgency: American Red CrossContact Person: Kelly M. Teresko and Robert RossContact Phone: P: (231) 947-7286 x20 or F: (231) 947-1767Contact E-mail: kteresko@ and b.ross@Contact Address: 735 S. Garfield Ave. Suite B-100, Traverse City, MI 49686ConclusionIn conclusion, I feel this service learning project will provide me with more strength, knowledge, nursing/health care skills, coping skills, in addition to many others. As stated in my evaluation plan, it is a possibility that in my future nursing career, I will reconsider the direction of upcoming education and career plans; possibly working part or full time for the American Red Cross? ReferencesGiving and getting involved. (2011). Retrieved from , M., (2011). Service learning proposal. Retrieved from Ferris State University School of Nursing FerrisConnect web site: ................
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