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Service Learning SynthesisEmily AlpersFerris State UniversityService Learning SynthesisAt Ferris State University, part of the learning for the RN to BSN program includes completing at least 20 hours of service based learning. These hours must be completed by the last semester of the program, and the activities must be in some way health related. I choose to volunteer through New Hope Community Church in Williamsburg, Michigan by helping with a financial class from Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. This program helps lessen the mental stress in people’s lives that leads to physical ailments and has allowed them the money needed for proper healthcare.Agency DescriptionDave Ramsey, a personal money management expert, created Financial Peace University (FPU) in 1994 (FPU, 2008). This “13-week program…helps people dump their debt, get control of their money, and learn new behaviors around money that are founded on commitment and accountability” (FPU, 2008, p. 3). More than a half million families have been a part of FPU in various settings. In 18 to 24 months after the class, the average family is completely out of debt, except for their mortgage. The class topics range from saving money, cash flow planning, dumping debt, insurance, and giving. Volunteer Role DescriptionMy role in the FPU was to help the FPU class facilitator. I helped the facilitator to review the material each week before class and formulate questions to promote discussion after watching the videos. My role also included helping to answer questions following class. In addition, I spent time making dessert treats for people to eat and have camaraderie following class. As people became more comfortable with one another in this way, they were more likely to open up about their financial difficulties and ask the questions that they needed answers to. This fellowship time was also crucial to learning new things from each other to achieve financial peace. Critical ReflectionMy initial thoughts when entering into this service learning was that I could better understand my patients while completing their financial assessment upon admission to the hospital. I had hoped that I could better advocate for these patients as it relates to financial concerns. I never expected this process to impact me as it had. Not only have I met my goal, but I have grown in my nursing professionalism and understanding more than I ever anticipated. It has always been my goal in my professional nursing career to treat my patients holistically. The very foundation in my love for nursing is seeing the patient as a whole being. Holistic nursing acknowledges the totality of the person and the connection between body, mind, emotion, spirit, culture, relationship, context, and environment (American Holistic Nurses Association, 2015).?This practice of requires the nurse to integrate self-care, self-responsibility, spirituality, and reflection into their own life (American Holistic Nurses Association, 2015). Working with FPU has helped me bridge the gap between the science and evidence of nursing, with the totality of the patient. It is my firm belief, as strengthened through working with FPU, that the nurse cannot separate the physical manifestations from the emotional response. I have seen the people in my community stress over their finances time and time again. At times this meant not getting needed medical treatment. Other times, this meant that the stress over financial burdens resulted in physical ailments, including high blood pressure and stress-induced inflammatory conditions. Meeting with people and helping them with their finances only made sense to helping their entire physical being. FPU helped me achieve the principles of holistic nursing.SynthesisService learning is described as something that combines learning goals and community service in a way that enhances both the student’s growth and the common good (Vanderbilt University, 2015). The goal of this activity is to aid in professionalism and leadership. I believe that this activity has helped me meet all of the program outcomes. However, in my experience with FPU, I believe that my growth in collaborative leadership has been aided the most. Through FPU, I have been able to work as part of a team and function as a small group leader. I have been able to function as an example for others to follow in the FPU process. Stepping into a leadership role in this area has been out of comfort zone, but has expanded my ability to work with a team of individuals from multiple disciplines. I have also been able to evaluate my own personal commitment to the values inherent to the nursing profession as set forth by this program’s outcomes (Doerr, 2015). Professional nursing is about putting the patient first, and caring for the entire person. My service learning has taught me to look beyond the physical ailment and look deep into the heart and situation of my patient, helping them in every aspect that I possibly can. I am thankful for the experiences that I have had through my service learning as a part of this program. I am more professional and more of a leader now than ever before. ReferencesAmerican Holistic Nurses Association (2015). What is holistic nursing? Retrieved from: , M. J.? (2015).? NURS 450 Nursing Capstone [course syllabus].? Retrieved from: , D. (2008). Financial peace university. Brentwood, TN: The Lampo Group.Vanderbilt University (2015). What is service learning or community engagement? Retrieved from: A - Contact InformationContact Person: Patrick AlpersAgency Name: Financial Peace UniversityContact Phone Number: 231-922-3917E-mail of contact person: Patrick.Alpers@Contact Address: 2170 Tyler Hills Drive Traverse City, MI 49685 Appendix B - Service Learning Log: RN-to-BSN TrackAgency: Financial Peace UniversityDateHours and Activity1/20/20114 hours: Review of material and preparation for leading small groups. Time in small groups understanding individual situations and progress towards goals, and answering financial related questions. 2/3/20114 hours: Review of material and preparation for leading small groups. Time in small groups understanding individual situations and progress towards goals, and answering financial related questions.2/17/20114 hours: Review of material and preparation for leading small groups. Time in small groups understanding individual situations and progress towards goals, and answering financial related questions.3/3/20114 hours: Review of material and preparation for leading small groups. Time in small groups understanding individual situations and progress towards goals, and answering financial related questions.3/17/20114 hours: Review of material and preparation for leading small groups. Time in small groups understanding individual situations and progress towards goals, and answering financial related questions.3/31/20114 hours: Review of material and preparation for leading small groups. Time in small groups understanding individual situations and progress towards goals, and answering financial related questions.4/7/20114 hours: Review of material and preparation for leading small groups. Time in small groups understanding individual situations and progress towards goals, and answering financial related questions.Total Time28 hoursStudent Signature:Agency Signature:Agency Printed Name: Patrick Alpers, MBADate: 4/15/2011 ................
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