Engaging nursing alumni to enhance student outcomes in international academic service learning courses

20^th Global Nursing Education Conference

March 21-23, 2018 | New York, USA

Maureen P Tippen

University of Michigan-Flint, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Developing and conducting immersion international service learning courses is challenging and requires long term planning and preparation of students by experienced faculty. Since 1997, international academic service learning courses have been offered as nursing electives at a Midwestern State University. International academic service learning has provided students the opportunity to experience global health problems, develop cultural competence, communication skills, language, and provide nursing care in developing countries in a variety of health care settings. Alumni who have participated as students in an international academic service learning course request to return as volunteer licensed nurses. The university has provided a framework for participation of alumni as licensed professionals working alongside baccalaureate nursing students. This poster presentation will share a teaching/learning model discussing the use of alumni as mentors and clinical resources for BSN students in international academic service learning courses. Emphasis in student learning and evaluation methods will be discussed including data from pre/post travel surveys, reflective journals, and media completed by students to reflect positive student outcomes including cultural competence, expanded understanding of global health issues, social justice, enhanced critical thinking, clinical and communication skills, values clarification, and enhanced civic engagement.

Biography :

Maureen P Tippen is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing. She has over 39 years of experience in clinical practice and teaching. She teaches parent-child nursing theory and clinical practice. She has taught academic service learning courses for the past 22 years in countries like Dominican Republic, Peru, Cambodia, Kenya, and India. She maintains a clinical practice working with high risk youths in a detention setting.