The Service Learning Project that the Professor and the members of our group have organized at the Stein Senior Center at 204 East 23rd street, New York, NY was a wonderful learning experience for me as a new registered nurse. Through effective communication and a friendly environment we were able to organize a Health Fair that was attended by individuals of various professions. I communicated with people from diverse disciplines and cultural groups. Before this class I did not have experience working outside of the health care setting and I am grateful for chance to broaden my knowledge and view the nursing profession from a different angle. The Community Health Nursing class have me the unique opportunity to grow as a professional and work on essential nursing skills such as analytical thinking and effective communication. These valuable skills and knowledge learned during this clinical will help in my future practice career as a health care professional.

Objective 1: Demonstrates individual professionalism through personal behaviors and appearance.
Clinical class at Stein Senior Center gave me the opportunity to grow as a professional. Professional appearance begins with business casual dress code as well as display of identification cards that showed that we are representing the Nursing Department of New York City College of Technology. The Service Learning Project involves teamwork and collaboration. Through effective communication, we were able to complete an interesting and challenging task in a short period of time. Efficient organization and distribution of tasks at the beginning of the semester allowed us to reach the goal of conducting a Health Fair. Members of our group were ready to help each other if someone had a question regarding their task and was willing to help. In my opinion, this is the main component of successful teamwork. The members of our team were kind and courteous to each other, which essential to create an efficient and supportive work environment.

Objective 2: Employ analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills when providing care to individuals and families in the community setting.
Our group have conducted blood pressure screenings weekly during clinicals. As a nurse, when interpreting vital signs that were abnormal, I asked about the current medications and past medical history. For example, when the reading the indicated a low pulse, I asked the client whether they were taking antihypertensive medicine such as Beta blockers. While taking blood pressure the nurse has a great opportunity to conduct a small assessment and learn more about the client’s health status. In my opinion, it is an excellent way to appropriately manage time, while doing two tasks at the same time. This type of analytical reasoning allows me, as a new nurse, to gain more experience and be able to see the picture from a broader perspective. While communicating with the members of Stein Senior Center I had the opportunity to understand how important the center is to them. As every person is individual, I was able to assess and analyze how different people view the center and how it helps in one way or another.

Objective 3: Effectively communicate with diverse groups and disciplines using a variety of strategies regarding the health needs of individuals and families in the community setting.
Members of the Stein Senior Center come from various different cultural and occupational backgrounds. During clinical, we had the unique opportunity to speak with many different people and learn about the specific health needs. Cultural competence is extremely important, especially in such a diverse city as New York. For example, if the senior citizen speaks Spanish and feels more comfortable speaking their own language, I would ask the staff who speaks Spanish or one of from group members who is fluent in the language to explain something. I understood that every person requires a specific approach that is conductive to communication and learning about health and wellness. Communicating with the members in a calm, therapeutic and non-judgmental manner allows the client to feel more comfortable when speaking to the nurse. It is also essential to maintain client confidentiality and privacy. If the member I was caring for was visually challenged or hard of hearing, I would incorporate measure that would allow the senior and myself to communicate effectively.

Objective 4: Establish environment conducive to learning and use a plan for learners based on evidence-based practice.
During the Health Fair conducted November 11th, the members of Stein Senior Center were able to learn more about different health organizations. The Professor, together with the members of our group and the staff of the center were able to build a plan on how to arrange the guests of the Health Fair in order to establish a more organized environment. The seniors had the opportunity to ask questions and find out more information in regards to the subjects that interested them. If the members had a questions about which they preferred to speak confidentially, the opportunity was provided to them.

Objective 5: Utilize informational technology when managing individual and families in the community.
The Stein Senior Center has a specially designed computer room, to which our group was kindly given access to every week. We were able to do research and contact the vendors and other attendees. We designed the flyer for our Health Fair utilizing the computer room as well. There we were able to print all the necessary information and documents. Photographs taken at the Health Fair by photographer from NYCCT were taken strictly with the permission of the members to be in the picture. This is an example of how patient privacy was maintained as it related to informational technology and mass media.

Objective 6. Demonstrate .a commitment to professional development
During the Health fair we had the opportunity to meet various people from different disciplines, including company representatives, students, multiple health care professionals and others. This gave us the unique opportunity to learn more about the health care system outside of nursing. Interdisciplinary collaboration and contacting insurances and medical providers allowed us to see the way the healthcare system works. With many changes that are constantly happening in the health care system, it is essential to keep up with the transformations in order to be able to educate the clients.  Now I can educate my patients more at my workplace and at the same time help my family.

Objective 7. Incorporate professional nursing standards and accountability into practice
It is essential for nurses to maintain professional behaviors in any setting where he/she is practicing. For example, while serving lunch to the members of the Stein Senior Center we performed hand hygiene before and after the meal time. We also put on the apron and covered out hair in order to maintain a professional appearance and follow the standards of care. If the blood pressure or pulse of the member was deviating from the norm, we would re-measure the vital signs and if they were still abnormal, the information was given directly to the professor. This shows the nursing process of assessment and implementation. I tried my best to perform tasks in a time efficient and professional manner.

Objective 8. Collaborate with clients, significant support persons and members of the health care team
Various health care professionals have attended the Health Fair at Stein Senior Center. The members were able to find out about different resources that are available. The vendors at the event had the opportunity to educate the clients and guide them in order to address the needs of the members. For example, if the member expressed interest in dental health and has not visit a dentist in a long time, he/she was referred to the dental student and the instructor from NYU Dental School, where dental screening was provided as well as complementary tools, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and coupons to get a full dental examination. Inviting representatives from different health care plans and insurances gave the seniors an opportunity to learn more about different plans that perhaps would be perfect for their needs. The members of Stein Senior Center asked the members of our group where each of the vendors of their interest was located.

Objective 9. Recognize the impact of economic, political, social and demographic forces that affect the delivery of health care services
Our group members learned more about the difficulties that senior citizens encounter after retirement. Many of those who come to Stein Senior Center have family that is far away and some do not have health insurance or sufficient resources. We have learned that the Senior Center is a place where they socialize, spend their free time as well as enjoy a fresh meal. Many of the senior citizens are not aware of the resources that are available or do not have the opportunity to make the connections. As a nurse, it is important to know the difficulties seniors citizens face, and therefore, be able to address their needs. The skills and knowledge learned during clinical will help in my future practice and career.

Summary
This course allowed me to expand my knowledge about Community Based Nursing and understanding how care is delivered to clients outside of the hospital setting. I am grateful for the opportunity to complete clinical at Stein Senior Center and be able to meet so many interesting people. Trough teamwork and organization of tasks, our group completed a challenging yet rewarding assignment.