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Service-learning in nursing: Integrating student learning and community-based service experience through reflective practice


H Julie
P Daniels
T A Adonis

Abstract



Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in South Africa. The School of Nursing at the University of the Western Cape has responded to the challenge of training sensitive, knowledgeable and skilled health personnel by developing a Management of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) module. The purpose of this paper is to describe the professional
and personal development of nursing students in this programme through their service-learning experience in the GBV module based on the analysis of the description of the students' reflective journals, group project reports and a focus-group discussion as the primary data sources. Analysis showed that students gained critical thinking
skills and developed an understanding of the supportive role health professionals can play through developing skills of caring, advocacy and a commitment to civic engagement, which promotes collaborative relationships. Some of the lessons learnt from this experience include realistic planning in terms of outcomes, time frames, and available
resources as well ensuring support from colleagues for the effective implementation of the programme.

Keywords: gender-based violence; community-based service; service-learning; reflective practice; civic engagement

Health SA Gesondheid Vol. 10 (4) 2005: pp. 41-54

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2071-9736
print ISSN: 1025-9848