Why choose the kids?

Service Learning is a social commitment to service those in the community that are of the vulnerable, underserved, and diverse population groups.  In my previous service learning experience while in the MSN program at Regis, I also chose to commit my service learning time to the underserved children of the Head Start population.  From that experience I felt that the Head Start organization had such an important mission for the children of our rural communities that I implemented Service Learning, as well as a Head Start Child Development Clinical Rotation into the nursing curriculum I was teaching at the time.  My personal experience and reflection had such an impact, that it led me to encourage future nurses, through the same type of experience to see impact they could also have if they committed their time to the vulnerable, underserved, and diverse population groups within their communities.  This experience allowed them to "step out of their box" and reflect on how their knowledge, skills and commitment to others could assist in social justice.  So when it came to deciding what I would do for my Service Learning project this time it was an easy decision.

My role in how I am now serving the Head Start children and UMOS children has changed.  As I have transitioned from nursing education to an FNP, I am now providing medical care, and not students to assist with the screenings.  Until this year I have been involved in providing outreach services to the children of both Head Start and UMOS through a primary care clinic where I worked.  However this year I was not going to be involved due to other employment commitments until my Service Learning opportunity came up.  I then collaborated with the clinic to provide my knowledge and medical skills at the outreach clinics that were scheduled. 

So why choose the pediatric population?  Why the kids?  Providing children with health care has to be one of the most rewarding feelings in the world, that's why.  When a child laughs, smiles, hugs you, or holds your hand and stops crying because you didn't hurt them, that is a great feeling!  These children all come from low-income, many uninsured, and very underserved populations.  This may be the only time they ever see a medical provider.  Programs like Head Start and UMOS provide more than daycare, they provide nutrition and education to the children.  The staff at the child development centers are just as passionate about the care the children receive as I am about the medical care they receive.  The staff tries to ensure that all recommendations for medical care are met.  The services that my clinic provides for the children will continue as long as the Head Start and UMOS programs will continue to let us provide them for the children.  Social justice and providing medical care for all is our mission.