Service Learning Final Blog

As an educated, privileged citizen in our society, what is your role in creating a society rooted in equality and justice? Do you feel you have a responsibility and why or why not?

As a Regis graduate, I hopefully imbue the core values of the Jesuit mission, “service of others”. My concerns should go beyond my own personal needs, and must include the needs of society. I feel an obligation to make meaningful contributions, increase awareness of the needs of others, and attempt to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. I have been extremely blessed in my life. It is easy to take for granted our good fortunes. I was quickly reminded of this with my first visit to a homeless shelter when starting my Service Learning commitment. We cannot forget or turn our backs to people in need. We all have responsibility to be involved citizens, to make the world a better place not only for our generation but for those who will follow. I leave Regis with a stronger sense of self and my commitment to the needs of others. 

What have you learned about yourself and what are your future plans?

When starting the Service Learning component for the DNP, I remember feeling intimidated by this task.  I was “at a loss” as to what type of project I would be able to find. Would I find it rewarding and have a sense of accomplishment, or would this just be a “requirement” for getting my DNP? In reflection, the Service Learning project has been an invaluable experience. I gained a great sense of empowerment and   accomplishment working with Catholic Charities. This experience has given me a much greater awareness of the needs of the underserved populations within my local community. I made successful community relationships that will last beyond graduation for the DNP degree. I did not envision these outcomes when starting Service Learning. I plan to stay involved with Catholic Charities as I have a sense of community connection with this organization. My contributions, no matter how small or large, are appreciated and valued.  I hope to also establish a Service Learning relationship the Montfort Clinic, which provides healthcare to indigent populations. The needs are endless. 

NR715C midterm blog

What are you currently doing with this organization and how do you see it evolving as you sustain your commitment to them? I remain involved with Catholic Charities (CC) as my Service Learning organization. My original project, to help establish a recuperation room for homeless patients being discharged from the local hospital but who are still in need of recovery time, has come to fruition with completion of the new Guadalupe Shelter which was dedicated in August 2011. I remain available for nursing/medical support as needed. I am currently involved in the weekend noon meal program. I have spent a Saturday helping in the kitchen preparing and serving lunch for approximately 30 residents. I am also now routinely involved in retrieval of food donations from local grocery stores (The local food bank has priority during the week days. CC is identified for weekend donations). I see my relationship with CC continuing to evolve. I would like to spend time during the week with the Food Service Manager, in order to better learn the operation of a commercial kitchen. Opportunity for involvement at the 'organization and coordination' level of the weekend meal program exists.

What do you envision being the shortcomings and strength of your service learning commitment? The most obvious shortcoming for my commitment is time limitation. The demands of full time employment and 'near' full time doctoral work have created obvious time constraints. From this time scarcity I now have improved personal organizational skills and am better able to establish priorities. Other strengths of this service commitment include CC's close proximity to my home. I have gained an immense sense of community awareness and need through my relationship with CC. Service learning can help the student engage more effectively with the content of the course or the perspective of the discipline while also learning about citizenship and about themselves as individuals (Ash & Clayton, 2009). I continue to grow, both personally and professionally, with my ongoing commitment to this human service agency.

Ash, S.L., & Clayton, PlH. (2009). Generating, deepening, and documenting learning: The power of critical reflection in applied learning. Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education, 1, 25-48.

Service Learning Final Blog

What was the best/worst/most challenging thing that happened this semester?

The best and worst thing that happened this semester was my starting and then quickly leaving a new APN position close to my home. I was thrilled to make this transition due to the increased exposure and involvement this position would provide in working with the underserved in my community. I was very sad to leave this position, but in my heart, I knew it was the right thing to do "on many levels". I was blessed to be able to return to my old job. That being said, the short time in this new position gave me incredible insight into the healthcare blight of the underserved in this community. There are only two primary care practices willing to care for the underserved (no health insurance) in this community of almost 100,000. These clinics are so over-booked, people often wait 1-2 months for an appointment. Hence, they present to the local Emergency Department for care that should/could be managed by a PCP. It was insightful to hear their frustration in finding healthcare.
One of my challenges has been finding time to remain actively involved in my project at Catholic Charities. I continue to meet, email, and talk with the new manager of the homeless shelter and assist when able. I have made and delivered sack lunches for people staying in the shelter for their week-end lunch meal on two different weekends. One of the weekends, I made 36 lunches in my kitchen!  I was both challenged and rewarded by this task.  


What can you do differently as an individual and as a professional to support and advocate for some of the issues you encountered during your service learning experience?

I believe continued involvement, both  personally and professionally is a absolute must in order to support and advocate for the underserved in my community. I plan to continue my relationship with Catholic Charities and the Guadalupe Shelter. I will particpate in ongoing support of the "Recuperating Room." which provides 24/7 shelter to homeless just discharged from the local hospital. I woul like to champion a noon meal as part of the routine services provided to this population. Hopefully, I will volunteer as an APN at a free healthcare clinic (probably after completion of the DNP due to time constraints). I continue involvement in healthcare advocacy by attending the Colorado Nurses Association Government and Public Policy (GAPP) and Colorado Nurses for Access to Healthcare for All (CNAHCA) meetings. I advocate for independent NP practice and believe it will be part of the solution to our current national healthcare crisis. I believe independent NP practice creates improved accessibility and more affordable healthcare to underserved populations (no healthcare insurance).

Midterm Service Learning Blog

For this Service Learning blob, we are asked to critically reflect on our service committment. According to Ash & Clayton (2009), critical relection generates learning, deepens learning, and documents learning (p. 27). The DEAL model for critical reflection will direct this discussion.

Description of experiences: I continue in my service committement with Catholic Charities, specifically Weld County in Northern Colorado. I am involved in the Guadalupe Shelter which is the only overnight shelter for homeless individuals and families in this community. The shelter provides an evening meal and is open from 7pm to 7am year round. Currently, Catholic Charities is building a new administrative building which will also include a new shelter. The creation of this new shelter will give this service agency the ability to provide 24 hour shelter for people being discharged from North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) that have no where to go. Currently, these patients either have an extended hospitalization and/or are discharged to the street. I am the co-chair of a planning committee to facilitate the protocols, criteria of patients who may come to the "Recuperating Room". The goal will be a 1 to 3 day stay for these individuals to allow them time to continue in their healing process. Also, as part of my service, I have made/provided sack lunches for a weekend meal (During the week days, the homeless can have a noon meal at the Salvation Army, but on weekend days there is no meal service available).

Exaime the experience: I continue to find this service committment of working with the underserved and homeless populations a humbling experience. It has truly made me appreciate my blessings in life. I am guilty of taking so much for granted; health, job, relationships, family, finan
cial security. I can not imagine existing in the world of the homeless. So many of these individuals have co-morbid behavior health problems (psychiatric, ETOH, illicit drug use). These underlying factors contribute and/or create their inablilty to function in normal society. With reduction in government programs and support services, this population becomes even more compromised. The social and justice disparities are moral dilemmas that continue to haunt our society. 

Articulate the Learning: With this service committment, I continue to grow and learn. I am meeting and working with members of my community in an entirely new and different capacity. I have taken on projects and tasks without hesitation. This experience continues to expand my horizons and take me in new directions. The Guadalupe Shelter will open the end of August. There is much work to complete prior to this grand opening, protocols to complete, meetings to attend. I have offered to physically help with the transition/move to the new shelter. I will be attending the Open House scheduled for August 26th. I plan to continue in this service committement after completion of my DNP program. I have found my passion and am committed to 'giving back' through ongoing service to my community. I frequently remind myself, "But for the grace of God, there go I".

Ash, S.L., & Clayton, PlH. (2009). Generating, deepening, and documenting learning: The power of critical reflection in applied learning. Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education, 1, 25-48.

Service Learning Blog Entry 2

1. Are people you came in contact through this experience having some needs met through the community activities? Are community activities like these necessary and/or sufficient to fulfill these community and individual needs? Do you see other means to do so?
The individuals being served by Catholic Charities are having their needs met through the support of this charitable organization. This organization provides service programs for senior services, victim's assistance, emergency assistance, promoting safe and stable families and overnight short-term emergency shelter individuals and families at the Guadalupe Shelter. I believe these are all vital services being provided to the under-served in Weld County. As vital as these services are, they are insufficient to truly meet the needs of this population. I am currently involved in the project to create a "recuperating room" for patients being discharged from North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC). These are individuals who still need a bed/shelter to continue short-term recuperating and healing. Currently, these individuals are discharged to the street. Catholic Charities is currently constructing a new administrative building which will also house a much needed expanded shelter. This new shelter will have increased capacity to support the homeless population in Northern Colorado.
2. What was the best/worst/most challenging thing that happened this semester?
The best thing that happened this semester was finding/choosing Catholic Charities as my site for Service Learning. I feel blessed to have met and work with these individuals who are passionate about their service to those in need. It has been a very humbling experience. I take for granted the fortune and blessings in my life. This continued experience helps me stay grounded and refocused, realizing the true priorities in life.
3. What have you learned about yourself?
I have learned to be more out going and confident in meeting new people and in creating new relationships. This experience has opened new professional and personal opportunities for me. I am becoming "connected" to my community. Once completion of the credential process, I hope to also volunteer with Sunrise Clinic, providing care to low socioeconomic and homeless populations.
4. What are your future service learning plans?
I intend to stay active with Catholic Charities. My project as "co-chair" of the Guadalupe Shelter's new recuperation room will not come to fruition until completion of the new center in August 2011. Again, I hope to also work in a volunteer capacity with the Sunrise Clinic. NR 704 has reinforced my belief that nursing must embrace not only the populations in each individual's practice but also embrace community and global health. Northern Colorado is my community and home. I plan to continue to serve those in need.

Service learning

For my Service Learning project, I have chosen Catholic Charities. This is a human service agency with a goal to promote the dignity and self-worth of all individuals. This goal is accomplished through a variety of programs that blend advocacy and service delivery to foster individual and community empowerment. Catholic Charities is the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, and inspired by God's love and compassion. Catholic Charities extends the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and thos in need. The organization is dedicated to helping people of all ages, faiths, ethnic bacgrounds and economic circumstances. I am working with Catholic Charities/Weld County Organization which is in Northern Colorado.

Services/programs provided include senior services, victims assistance, emergency assistance, victims assistance, promoting safe and stable families and overnight short-term emergency shelter to individuals and families at the Guadalupe Shelter.  The shelter also provides an evening meal which is provided all by volunteers in the community. This organization is currently very involved in the building of a new shelter, which will be complete in August 2011.

Funding for Catholic Charities is all through private donation and support. Part of the finances obtained in building the new shelter was obtained through Federal and State grant application and funding. The Guadalupe Shelter is a critical service provided in Northern Colorado.

Selfishly, I was initially drawn to this organization as it is local (I live in Greeley, CO) and it would be one less day of driving. After my first visit, I knew this was the right choice, no matter where they are located or how much driving this would require. On my first day of orientation, I toured the Guadalupe Shelter. It was a very humbing experience. The need for this service is overwhelming. I can not imagine a life without a home or shelter, spending the day wandering the city streets, and walking 2 miles to get to the shelter, as there is no public transportation service. I was and remain most bothered that women and children are living this experience. It has haunted me since my visit. I was suddenly struck by all the blessings and fortune in my life. But for the grace of God, there go I.

The people who stay at the Shelter have an evening meal and often a small breakfast before they leave for the day. During the week days, lunch is provided by the Salvation Army. On weekends, there is no service available to provide food during the day. My idea is to provide sack lunches on the weekends, especially for the children. Apparently, other volunteers have suggested this, but have not followed through. I intend to begin next week-end, when I am not working.

I immediately connected with the Volunteer Coordinator and the Regional Director. Both are passionate  about the mission and the work being done on a daily basis by Catholic Charities. When meeting the Regional Director, we instantly found my volunteer work/project. I am now involved in helping establish a 24 hour room/shelter for patients/people being discharged from North Colorado Medical Center that have no place to go and still need support/help. We are meeting with the ED case manager from NCMC next week to move this project forward. Having the ability to provide 24 hour shelter at the Guadalupe Shelter will be a reality in August when the new center is opened. This is a huge leap forward in providing assistance to those in need.  I am excited and blessed to be a part of this project. More to come...

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