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Running head: POST-EXPERIENCE REFLECTION

Post-Experience Reflection

Madison Caudill

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

Kathy Faw

NUR 4116P

March 16, 2019

“I pledge”

Post-Experience Reflection
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POST-EXPERIENCE REFLECTION

Noticing

Before going on this trip, I had expectations about what we would see and learn. I

believed that we would be immersed into the Appalachian way of life and we would learn about

the mission and values of Mountain Mission School. Mountain Mission School is a beautiful

facility nestled into a holler with mountains surrounding the school on all sides. I noticed that

every child we spoke to was happy and they were incredibly polite and thankful. I noticed at our

first meal that all the children were split up among tables so that each table had a mix of ages. I

thought this was an excellent strategy to instill some responsibility in the older children while

also teaching the younger children social skills and table manners. Additionally, it reinforces the

idea that everyone at Mountain Mission School is a big family and they are all brothers and

sisters in Christ. We were able to collaborate with the leaders and faculty at the school to assess

their needs and provide appropriate interventions, including sanitizing toys, organizing and

cleaning the infirmary and teaching multiple ages various topics on health education. My

expectations for what I would see and learn at Mountain Mission School were exceeded by the

end of our visit.

Interpreting

One of the biggest issues we identified during our time at Mountain Mission School was

their need for a revamped infirmary. Prior to our intervention, the infirmary was disorganized,

dirty, cluttered and many medications were expired. We conducted an assessment of the most

common reasons children visited the infirmary and utilized the nurse’s input to develop a layout

that fit with his current work flow. We were able to create a more workable environment that

allowed the school nurse to deliver safer and higher quality care to the children he serves. I really

enjoyed this opportunity to assist a fellow healthcare provider in a way that would improve the
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POST-EXPERIENCE REFLECTION

health of those he serves. While the nurse was appreciative of our work, he admitted to us that it

was difficult for him to allow us into his space and take over. This experience emphasized the

importance of communication and collaboration as we worked to involve the nurse in the

infirmary makeover the same way in which we involve our patients in their care.

Responding

Going into this experience, I expected to see children in need of families, that were

striving for love and attention and that were unhappy. I was completely wrong in those

expectations. Best seen during the worship service, these children had an abundance of love and

they were surrounded by family. They sung songs, put arms around each other, greeted one

another with smiles and praised the Lord with happiness and joy. I took away from this

experience the importance of appreciating what you have and understanding that family extends

beyond those to which you are biologically related. Family is who you make it, who you love,

who supports you in your worst times, and celebrates with you in the best times.

I was inspired by the dedication and passion to serve that the faculty and staff exhibited

during our visit. Many of the staff serve multiple roles on campus, providing care for the children

24/7, 365 days of the year. Seeing that level of commitment and selflessness reminded me that

we are all doing God’s work and that God calls us to work in different ways. However, there are

tasks that the staff simply does not have the time to do, including sanitizing toys or organizing

and cleaning an entire infirmary. My passion to serve allowed me to assist the wonderful faculty

and staff by providing an extra set of hands and time to complete tasks they otherwise would not

have the manpower or time to complete.

Reflecting
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POST-EXPERIENCE REFLECTION

As a result of this practicum experience, I was able to do a lot of self-reflection and

growth. I’ve always valued the beauty of an open-mind and traveling into communities different

from your own requires an open mind. Ms. Feurer recommended that we take this opportunity to

grow in learning to understand and no necessarily to agree. In both my personal life and my

professional life as a nurse, I will be faced with people whose values and way of life is very

different from my own. We can either take those opportunities to learn and grow, or we can fight

them and regress. By taking the time to learn about another culture, way of thinking, religion,

etc., we are not saying we necessarily agree or that we align with those things. However, in order

to have a truly open mind and to be a truly culturally competent nurse, I must be willing to learn

regardless of my stance or opinion.

I also believe that as a result of this experience, I appreciate the difference in each

individual’s call to serve. When I saw the dedication and selflessness of the staff at Mountain

Mission School, it was easy to compare myself and believe I wasn’t doing enough. However, I

believe God has a unique plan for each one of us and that we should trust in our own mission and

call to serve. I will continue to look for ways to grow and serve within my own community and I

will be ready to serve when God places the opportunity before me. I am so appreciative of

everything this practicum experience has taught me and am grateful for the opportunity to grow

and strengthen my values.