Experiential Nursing Fall 2021: Reflective Journal
Throughout this semester I participated in two experiential learning events which helped me build my interprofessional collaboration skills and better understand social determinants of health. The service learning events I participated in were The Portland Fire Department’s mock MCI event on September 18th, 2021, at the Portland Jetport, and The Deering Mentor Program starting on October 18th, 2021, at Deering High School and continuing weekly since then. These experiences gave me a total of 9 hours for experientially learning. I unfortunately was not able to participate in the CECE event titled “Immersion in Ghana” like I had originally stated on my proposal of intent. Both the Deering Mentor Program and the Portland Fire Department’s mock MCI event were valuable experiences for me that enhanced my other hands-on experiences this semester such as lab, clinical, and simulation.
The Portland Fire Department’s mock MCI event’s primary focus was to prepare emergency service personnel in the event of an actual mass causality incident. I volunteered to play a victim in the mock MCI, which was a valuable experience because I got to see how an MCI would be run if it were to occur. I am also currently a licensed EMT, so experiencing a mock MCI event firsthand also gave me more insight into the world of first responders. This event also incorporated many social determinants of health. The most relevant determinants for this activity were Healthcare Access and Quality and Social and Community Context.
Healthcare Access and Quality was relevant to this activity because the population we were working with was entirely first responders. By playing a victim for this event, I was able to help improve the access and quality of healthcare. If the first responders in the greater Portland area have had useful and effective trainings on mass casualty incidents, then they will be more likely to respond appropriately to a true emergency. This will help citizens in an emergent situation obtain access to healthcare faster, and the quality of care will be better due to extensive training. The other social determinant of health that is relevant to this event is Social and Community Context. If citizens of Portland know there are trainings for emergency incidents like an MCI happening, then they will be more likely to trust and have a positive relationship with first responders and the healthcare team. Having positive relationships with community members is an easy way that we can all improve health in our communities. The Portland Fire Department’s mock MCI also improved interprofessional collaboration between first responders and civilian volunteers. This especially improved the IPE competency interprofessional communication, which is essential to provide the best outcomes in an emergency situation.
The Deering Mentor Program was the second event I participated in, and their primary focus was to provide a college mentor to a Deering High School student(s). The purpose of a college mentor was so the students could ask questions about life after high school and receiving help on assignments or general high school worries/questions. This program had a big impact on me because I was able to meet with my mentees every week so we could talk about how their classes were going and what was new in their lives. I intend to continue participating in this program through the rest of the academic year so I can build an even closer relationship with my mentees. This activity also related to many social determinants of health, the two most relatable being Education Access and Quality and Social and Community Context.
Education Access and Quality was the most relevant social determinant of health because better education often correlates with being healthier and living a longer, fuller, life. By providing a supportive program such as mentoring, students are able to ask important questions about college, life, and being a young adult to a person who is currently living through it. Providing a mentor in college also gives students who may not have even been considering college the opportunity to. The other social determinant is Social and Community Context. It is important for people, especially adolescents, to form trusting and long-term relationships. These relationships can even help improve a person’s health. Students get to form a relationship with their mentor for at least a year, which allows time for the student to trust and confide in their mentor. The Deering Mentor Program lastly was able to improve interprofessional collaboration by using the IPE competency Interprofessional Teamwork and Team-Based Care. By having college mentors and high school mentees work together, each participant can improve their collaborative, empathetic, and listening skills.
Throughout experiential learning this semester, I was able to participate in two different events that helped me build my interprofessional skills. Working interprofessionally is essential for me since I am entering a career in nursing. In the nursing field, you must work with so many other professions, and being able to do it well will therefore make you a better nurse. I am excited to continue with the Deering Mentor Program in the spring and find new opportunities through experiential learning.
