Comparison of Theory-Practice Link in US and UK Student Nurses

Nurse education in Higher Education aims to prepare student nurses to develop their abilities to integrate theory taught within the classroom into their clinical or practice placement. A collaborative, qualitative research project was undertaken between the University of South Carolina Aiken, USA and University of Hertfordshire, UK to explore, compare and evaluate the influence of Academic Professors/ Link Lecturers* in enabling 1st year student nurses to make the connection between theory and practice. The study was informed by current literature on theory-practice, Academic Professors/ Link Lecturers and student nurses’ experiences and perspectives. (*faculty in the US are called academic professors, and faculty in UK are called Link Lecturers.

The Scholarship of Service Learning

This research examined the integration of service learning in a baccalaureate nursing curriculum, and its impact on students’ cognitive and affective development. Nursing faculty worked with regional staff of Special Olympics (SO) to coordinate and perform the required physical examinations for the athletes. Nursing students, under the guidance of faculty, performed the exams on the athletes which included children in a wide range of age, physical, social, and intellectual levels. This activity has had tremendous value for both students and the community. Approximately 300 athletes have been able to participate in the SO Games, who otherwise would not have. Nursing students have been able to gain a broader understanding of the diversity in physical and intellectual abilities of children. They have also been able to utilize the assessment skills they had learned in a very “hands on” manner as they give back to their community. An instrument developed by Wang, Jackson, Rodgers, & Jones (2005) was utilized for data collection by administering pre and post-tests to the students. Results of data using ANOVA and t-tests revealed a significant 2-way interaction between the pre and post-tests, and a significant increase in the domains of justice, charity, and competence

The Scholarship of Service Learning

This research in progress is an example of the integration of service learning in a baccalaureate nursing curriculum, and how it creates a meaningful partnership with the community. Nursing faculty worked with regional staff of Special Olympics (SO) to coordinate and perform the required physical examinations for the athletes. Nursing students, under the guidance of faculty, performed the exams on the athletes which included children in a wide range of age, physical, social, and intellectual levels. This activity has had tremendous value for both students and the community. Approximately 300 athletes have been able to participate in the SO Games, who otherwise would not have. Nursing students have been able to gain a broader understanding of the diversity in physical and intellectual abilities of children. They have also able to utilize the assessment skills they had learned in a very “hands on” manner as they give back to their community. The purpose of this ongoing research project is to determine the impact of this particular service learning opportunity on nursing students’ cognitive and affective development. An instrument developed by Wang, Jackson, Rodgers, & Jones (2005) has been utilized for data collection. Data is currently being analyzed