Objective 1: Demonstrates individual professionalism through personal behaviors and appearance.
As guests at First Steps, we found it essential to maintain upmost respect towards educators, students, and our peers. Collaborating with several disciplines has encouraged us to maintain a professional appearance and respect the environment of the facility. During our time at First Steps, we were expected to wear scrubs, leather shoes, and our ID badges at all times. Each morning we would collective meet as a group and discuss our objectives for the day. Our clinical instructor provided guidance during our time at First Steps. Working with the students became a rewarding experience. Our main priority was to maintain confidentiality when discussing students. We also focused our time on building a trusting relationship with the children. The use of appropriate language became essential during our time there. We encouraged students to speak their minds and interact with us in an appropriate manner.

Objective 2: Employ analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills when providing care to individuals and families in the community setting.
During our time at First Steps, we found it important to establish trust with staff and parents. For example, we assist in classrooms anyway we can and interact with parents so they are aware of our mission in the facility. We were given an opportunity to collaborate with the teachers in regards to activities that they would like us to incorporate. The use of critical thinking has also impacted our time at First Steps. For example, during breakfast time many children need assistance with opening milk. Many of us have asked the students to assist us in doing so. We have provided a learning environment so children can practice fine motor skills.

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.
Because Brownsville is one of the most poverty stricken neighborhoods in Brooklyn, many individuals do not have access to health care services. As nurses at First Steps, one of our main goals was to provide awareness to the community. Our clinical group came together to provide various parent workshops about asthma, immunizations/flu shot, and emergency preparedness. During these workshops, we were able to engage many parents and provide knowledge about prevention. Therapeutic communication has been important in our time with the children at First Steps. Many of the children were unsure about our presence in their classrooms and now we are welcomed each week. The children have grown accustom to being with us and have developed trust. We have used skills of active listening, sharing empathy, and clarifying while communicating with the parents as well as the children.

Objective 4: Establish environment conducive to learning and use a plan for learners based on evidence-based practice.
The environment at First Steps is adequate for academic progress. The classrooms are spacious and contain access to technology when needed. Within this environment, several of us in the 4-year-old group have collaborated together to create a lesson on tying shoes. This became an effort to engage the children in fine motor skills that are essential to everyday life. We were also able to involve parents by speaking to them about various topics that may affect their children.

Objective 5: Utilize informational technology when managing individual and families in the community.
Our clinical setting has not allowed us to use informational technology with the students. We have used technology outside of the classrooms to do research and communicate as group members. During our research, we communicate using a group e-mail to send each other information when requested. We have also used this time to update on our Service Learning Project duties.

Objective 6: Demonstrate a commitment to professional development.
There are many challenges that we came across during our time at First Steps. One of them included engaging parents in our mission. Many parents found it difficult to participate in our workshops. Even though we did not have a high participation rate, we were able to focus on those who were interested in our knowledge. The lack of health services has also hindered the ability to educate the community on prevention. Our mission to expose the community to more health related topics brought about more interest in our purpose at First Steps.

Objective 7. Incorporate professional nursing standards and accountability into practice.
The American Nurses Association Standards were used in our practice at this clinical site. We were able to maintain confidentiality and provide the best care to the community in Brownsville. First Steps mission includes providing a safe environment for its students, which we have kept in mind during our time there. First Steps prides itself in being able to provide an environment where parents and children can work together to develop trusting relationships with each other and staff. Together we were able to adhere to all policies of the facility.

Objective 8. Collaborate with clients, significant support persons and members of the health care team.
Supporting the community in Brownsville helped address problems they are facing as well as individual client needs. In this community, we have provided information on asthma, immunizations/flu shots, and emergency preparedness. We created flyers and gave out pamphlets to community member’s part of First Steps. In our pamphlets we provided more resources that are available for everyone online. We were able to answer specific questions during our workshops. This provided more open communication about health concerns.

Objective 9. Recognize the impact of economic, political, social and demographic forces that affect the delivery of health care services.
One of our goals at First Steps included creating the availability of resources within the community. Many families are unaware and unable to locate these resources. As nurses, we were able to expose the community to other resources available to them. Due to lack of health services, poverty, and transportation, many community members are faced with challenges. These challenges have affected the way of life for several families who live in Brownsville.