The service learning project that I was part of was a STD prevention program that took place over at Kings County Hospital.  The prevention project provided a great opportunity to carry out the roles and responsibilities of a community health nurse, especially since not all of us have worked in that capacity.  In addition, it demonstrated that to be effective in your job and to provide your optimum level of care one must understand the needs of the community and its residents.  I did not realize that the A.D.P.I.E. (assess, diagnosis, plan, implement, and evaluate) formula was relevant even in our approach of the Flatbush community.  Through our weekly clinical meetings I learned that a community can also be the client.  That idea truly helped push our service learning project along.  We as a group were able to accomplish our project through the substantial support of our clinical professor, fellow classmates’ overall commitment, and efficient organization and planning.

Even though I grew up in Flatbush and was more aware of the community needs as a fellow resident, it was sometimes difficult to see the needs of my area through the lens of a community health nurse.  I had to find different ways to separate my personal feelings from what my responsibilities were.  As a resident I feel that my community is falling to the waist-side and that interest only peaks in regards to gentrification, but as a nurse I do see opportunity for change and for elevating the area’s health.