The impact of service learning experiences on the professional practice of RN to BSN graduates

It is incumbent upon nursing educators to utilize the most effective teaching-learning methodologies as they prepare nursing students to become professional nurses. Service learning is a teaching-learning methodology that is being increasingly utilized in nursing education. Service learning has demonstrated the ability to develop a number of requisite skills and values deemed necessary for professional nursing practice by professional organizations, accreditors, and stakeholders. It was found in the literature that service learning is viewed as both transformational and able to bridge the theory-practice gap of nursing education. These aspects of service learning suggest an enduring impact on students as skills and values developed during service learning experiences have the potential to transition to professional practice. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of undergraduate service learning experiences on the professional practice of RN to BSN program graduates. A basic qualitative research study was undertaken. The study participants, eight RN to BSN program graduates, completed semi-structured interviews either in person or by phone. Each participant also shared reflective journals created during their service learning projects as RN to BSN students. Data analysis was completed using a constant comparative method to identify themes from initial codes. Five themes emerged as findings of the study as participants described how their service learning experiences as students impacted their professional practice. The findings of this study add to the understanding of service learning as a teaching-learning methodology assisting nursing educators as they continually seek the most effective teaching-learning methods for preparing future nursing professionals.