Service Learning through Pregnancy Resource Center



Service Learning through Pregnancy Resource CenterSheila MahaneyFerris State UniversityNursing320Michelle TeschendorfApril 20, 2013AbstractThis paper describes what service learning is about and the importance of participation in this nursing class. The paper describes the volunteer opportunities that I will have at the pregnancy resource center. It describes goals and outcomes that will be achieved upon the completion of the project. The service-learning project will benefit my knowledge and help me in my career as a nursing professional.Keywords: Service Learning, community Service LearningIn pursing my career as a nurse, I have to participate in a service-learning project during my time as I complete my degree. First I had to learn what a service learning project was. I read the material in my syllabus and did a little research on my own. Service learning is about reaching out to the community and learning about a certain topic or organization and how it will make me a better nurse. It teaches us how to integrate what we learn and use it to better understand our role as nurses in the area where we work. In doing this we can reflect what we learned and help to strengthen the community where we live. We may develop a passion for something that we may never have realized. In doing these acts of volunteering we are doing our civic responsibility, building character, and gaining knowledge for future growth all around us. (National Service Learning Clearing House Resource Center).DescriptionI have decided to do my 20 hours of service learning in volunteering at a Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) in Holland, Michigan. “Lakeshore Pregnancy Center is a licensed non-profit Christian organization dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of its clients in an environment of genuine concern” (brochure).Their primary mission is to reach out to women with an unplanned pregnancy and counseling them to make informed choices. They provide pregnancy testing and abortion education, emotional support and community referrals. They also provide in teaching parenting classes and pre-natal classes. The PRC is a place where women can come and not be judged and just have someone listen to their story. PRC is a non- threatening environment and just wants to show love and concern and help the women in their crisis. Along with providing the women with support they offer a one on one parenting class for couples if they would like additional support. Another service available to these women is the opportunity to shop for baby clothes and supplies. For every class that the woman participates in they earn points and these can be exchanged for purchases of items that they will need for their infant (brochure).The PRC also has started a ministry for men. They provide fathering classes and additional resources for them if desired. They encourage a positive relationship within the life of family. They also have a teen ministry available. Their goal is to “ inform the teens and their parents of the holistic benefits of a healthy relationship” (pamphlet).The pregnancy resource center is a great place for women to go when facing an unplanned pregnancy. I was drawn to this service because I have a background in Obstetrics and have a love for infants. I enjoy the thought of just listening to these women and gaining understanding in their current situation. I also enjoy the thought of teaching and educating them with resources that are available to them.Role DescriptionThere are four kinds of volunteers at the PRC. One is the material service volunteer. They organize the maternal and baby supplies that are available and have very little interaction with the clients. The next volunteer is the administrative volunteer. They are secretaries and help with data filing and handing out fliers when needed. The third volunteer they have is for nursing support. This individual is a nurse and she runs the pregnancy test and ultrasounds when needed. The fourth is a Client Advocate volunteer. I will be volunteering as a client advocate. My role will be to listen to the women and hear their stories. I may also be available to them for the one on one class in parenting, child safety and managing a healthy pregnancy. I will be an active listener and non judgmental. I will show love and compassion and just someone to talk with.The nursing support volunteer was intriguing to me as well, but I believe I will gain more knowledge and understanding by listening to the client’s stories first. I may be able to volunteer with this job description as the time allows (PRC volunteer packet).The training for these roles is intensive. It involves a training program of 20 hours, a declaration of faith statement, and an interview with the coordinator and additional shadowing of the roles.Objectives Related to ProgramI look forward to starting volunteer at the PRC. I appreciate the mission statement and the goal of the organization. I believe in the need for love and compassion in every situation. I appreciate the family values that are encouraged at PRC. My goal as a volunteer is to show love, compassion and empathy towards that young teen or 40 year old woman that feels lost or unsure of what the future will hold for her. My goal is to learn from women and then be able to use what I have learned in my current practice as a nurse today and in the future. I look forward to seeing how God will use me in this role. I look forward to becoming an advocate of women and just listening to their stories and the journey they are on. I plan on achieving those goals through communication with my co-workers and evaluation of my time spent with the women I talk to.Evaluation PlanWhen I start volunteering I will be able to really see the needs of the women in a crisis situation. I will see if my attitude and values reflect that of the client. Will I be able to show empathy and just be a listening voice? Being a volunteer at PRC may not be easy; there may be situations that are difficult and stories not easy to hear. How I choose to deal with them will define who I am and what paths I will take in my nursing career. If I enjoy the experience I will continue to volunteer after my 20 hours is completed. I would then like to continue on as an advocate for the women and possibly help as a nursing support volunteer. If I find that the situations are difficult to handle, I may end after my 20 hours of service to the Pregnancy Resource Center. My emotions often get the best of me, but I believe I can be empathic and show love and compassion and be a positive advocate for women in a crisis.Contact InformationAgency: Lakeshore Pregnancy CenterContact Person: Shelly HollarContact Phone: 616-396-5840Contact E-mail: shelley.hollar@Contact Address: 339 S River Ave. Holland MI 49423ConclusionI believe that this service learning will make me a better person and nurse. I believe the experiences I will encounter will make me more compassionate and develop more empathy in crisis situations. I will be able to use this experience as a learning guide to where I may go in my career as a nurse.ReferencesNational Service Learning Clearing House. (n.d.). Where do they Turn? [Brochure] (n.d). Holland, Michigan: Lakeshore Pregnancy Center.-914400-125730000 ................
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