Problem: Many of today’s complex health problems may profitably be addressed through approaches that emphasize collaboration with communities. Results-oriented philanthropy is one approach that combines student knowledge and action to decrease health disparities. Curricula often overlook the importance of philanthropic activities. The role of educational organizations in engaging and encouraging future community leaders is key to the early involvement of students.
The purpose of this descriptive study was: increase students’ knowledge and skill related to philanthropy and community investment; increase student awareness of the importance of nonprofit agencies in serving the community; establish ‘connectedness’ between students and the nonprofit sector.
Anderson and McFarlane’s Community-as-Partner model was the organizing framework for the study. Method: Philanthropy and community investment were used as vehicles to apply course concepts. Each of three student groups functioned as a community board, interacting with public and private nonprofit agencies to assess their community, prioritize problems, develop, distribute and evaluate RFPs. A $12,000 grant from the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati provided students with an opportunity to make a real improvement in the health of their communities by competitively awarding up to $4,000 each to a non-profit organization that addressed the identified health problem.
The convenience sample consisted of 23 students (age 20 through 26) who enrolled in three sections of the senior Community Practicum course. A 17-item questionnaire using a Likert scale was given to study participants at three different points in time: the first and last days of the quarter and 16 months after graduation. A pretest-posttest design was used to measure student knowledge, attitudes and involvement in philanthropic activities. The findings showed a sustained increase in knowledge of philanthropy across the measures as well as positive attitudes and an increase in involvement in philanthropic activities. Results indicate the importance of embedding philanthropy in nursing curricula.
Session #1170 - Nursing Education: Curriculum
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)