Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

Wendy Edson

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of the service-learning requirement in the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) curriculum at the local college. The problem addressed in this study was that the local ASN program lacked formal evaluation of the service-learning requirement. Guided by Kolb's model of experiential learning, a goal-based, summative evaluation employed as a qualitative case study explored the perceptions of 20 stakeholders including graduates, faculty members, and key community informants. The research questions focused on how service learning influenced a student's learning of cultural competence and the impact service learning had on the community. In-depth qualitative data were collected through face-to-face or phone, semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was the analytic method used in this study. To ensure trustworthiness, students' perceptions were triangulated with faculty's and community members' perceptions as related to outcomes of service learning, and interpretations were validated through member checking. Key results from the study indicated that service learning was perceived as a valuable component in the curriculum that influenced the students' knowledge of social and cultural factors, as well as their level of cultural competence in clinical practice. In addition, service learning was perceived as having a positive impact on the community. An evaluation report was created to provide administrators at the local college summative data upon which to base decisions regarding curriculum requirements or changes. Positive social change may result if nursing students are involved in civic engagement and have an opportunity to develop a more critical consciousness while serving the local needs of the community.

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