Keywords

community partnership, nursing students, service learning, Special Olympics

 

Authors

  1. McGahee, Thayer PhD, RN
  2. Bravo, Maureen DNP, RN
  3. Simmons, Lisa MSN, RN
  4. Reid, Tom PhD

Abstract

This research is an example of a service learning partnership between a prelicensure nursing program and local school district. Through this partnership, students participated in a thoughtfully organized project that met the needs of a community and promoted the humanizing of health care education. Nursing students, under the guidance of faculty, performed required physical examinations for Special Olympics athletes who represented a wide range of age, physical, social, and intellectual levels. Research findings indicated an increase in nursing students' affective and cognitive development after this activity.