Narrative Self Reflection of Service Learning Project.

My clinical objectives for PS 184 service learning project was to teach the children, age 12-13 years old, the importance of exercise and sleep. Our goal was to show the children by active participation, that exercise could be fun and simple. We showed this by creating a relay course of exercises in the gymnasium, starting with 30 seconds of jumping jacks, followed by 30 seconds of jump rope, a 30 second plank, a back and forth water bottle relay, finishing with lunges. After the routine, we sat in a circle on the floor to discuss sleep and the importance of ensuring they get 9 hour of sleep a night, the recommended amount for their age, in order to be able to function mentally and physically throughout the day.

Objective 1. We demonstrated individual professionalism through personal behaviors and appearance by each mentor in the group participating side by side during each child’s relay. Our positive and encouraging attitude excited them to try hard and give their best effort. We tried to show in our participation, that fatigue or failure was accepted and not judged negatively.

Objective 2. We employed analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills during the course of the event by pairing children fairly in their relay and by quickly intervening when some children objected to other students being in their group because of their size or other disability. We did this by encouraging students to help their teammates. Also, when one child showed fear of the jump rope we quickly allowed him to replace it with another activity of his choice. He chose pushups as a replacement.

Objective 3.  The strategy we used to communicate the importance of sleep was a colorful handout with a picture of a clock that showed wake up times and the bedtime associated with it, in order to get the required 9 hours needed for their age group. I was surprised how intrigued the children were with this handout. I think the visual picture helped them see that most children were not getting enough sleep to meet their health needs.

Objective 4.  The environment we selected played a major role in learning. We were lucky enough to have the use of the gymnasium to set up out relay/exercise course.

The gym was loud and it was hard to hear. It proved to be challenging for the sleep component. We quickly moved to the exercise routine in hopes to gaining some control and focus. The gymnasium allowed the children to run, have fun, and be at ease. After the routine, they were tired and able to concentrate on the sleep aspect.

Objective 5. The informational technology used to deliver our message of the importance of exercise and sleep, was delivered in the form of a printed handout for the sleep component. The exercise component of the learning project came simply by doing, which is why is was vital that everyone participated in the activity.

Objective 6.  Our professional commitment was shown in the side-by-side team effort of us nurses participating in the exercises with their student mentee. This was not easy for some, and would be fair to say some butts were kicked by 13 year olds. But the fun loving nature of the game made for good laughs and good sports.

Objective 7.  Professional nursing standards were shown in the participating nurses ability to bond with their mentee student and encourage them to give their best effort. During the routine, a few girls began to name call and bully another child that they did not want on their team. The mentors quickly took action to educate the children on being a team player and helping others achieve their best.

Objective 8.  We planned the first group to start with the sleep information and then move into the exercise routine. The gym was loud and it was hard to hear. The kids seemed to be anxious and it was hard to maintain control of the situation. Before the second group we quickly collaborated and agreed to change the plan and start immediately with the exercise in hopes to tire the children out a bit so they would then listen to the sleep lecture. This proved to be a much better plan.