Running Head: SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

Service Learning Project: Post-Activity Assignment

Nicole Woodman
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
March 30, 2014

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

My service learning assignment was at Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center. My
group and I attended Sitter & Barfoot where we were able to play Bingo with the Veterans. I
observed how the Veterans interacted with each other, some of their caretakers, the staff at Sitter
& Barfoot, and us as volunteers.
Servant leadership is an important piece of nursing and has become an emphasis in
healthcare. The integration of teamwork increases the benefits of healthcare and allows for
collaborative thought processes. Also, servant leadership enhances professional growth. Being a
servant to the Veterans population was a great privilege. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about
their lives for the brief time I was there. I think our group provided the residents with a caring
environment where they could enjoy themselves on a Saturday afternoon to play bingo. Listening
is an important principle of servant leadership and I was able to provide this communication skill
to the Veterans (Neill & Saunders, 2008). Listening respectively to others thoughts allowed me
to concentrate on how they were feeling and showed my interest in what they were saying.
About 12 people showed up to play bingo while we volunteered at Sitter & Barfoot. The
building seemed to be newly renovated and was spacious for the Veterans. In the building, I
observed many people lounging around and enjoying each others company. In the activities
room the Veterans were ready to play bingo. They came ready to win and to compete with each
other. I worked with one of the Veterans specifically to assist him with covering each number as
they were called. He couldnt hear or see the numbers well enough on his own, but was able to
communicate with me. I chatted with him briefly and during the conversation he told me that he
was ordered by the court to be there because they thought he was going to commit suicide. I
was shocked to hear this and wasnt sure what to say to him. I carried on the conversation and
tried to not be shocked by this. I also was able to chat with other Veterans during the bingo game

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

and hear their stories. They all wanted to share stories about their experiences during the wars.
My expectations were met, I was able to spend some time with a few people and was able to hear
about their lives. They were pleased to have us there and were happy to get to play bingo. They
said they played the game often, but were very excited to play.

I believe it is something that is done because the person wants to do it, not because they feel like
they have to do it. For instance, for most, nursing is a calling and its something that we want to
do, not something that we feel we have to do. We do it to benefit others and not for the
recognition of doing something good. According to Neill and Saunders (2008), the goal of
servant leadership is to meet the highest priority needs of those served. The goal is to treat
patients for what they need most whether its comfort, medical needs, or emotional needs. Sitter
& Barfoot seems interested in providing their residents with fun activities. I hope that I can be
some assistance during an activity and get to spend some time with the residents. They may not
have any family in the area and may want someone to have a good time with. I plan to put any
stereotypes behind me and keep an open mind while visiting with the residents. Maybe by
figuring out their needs or expectations it will make for a more effective time with them. Also, by

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

working as a team with my group we will all be coming together after careful planning to enjoy
our time at the location and with the residents.
Professionalism could be someone that exhibits ethical behavior and diligence in the
work place. Also, professionalism is someone that symbolizes the mission, vision, and values of
their organization. Someone is professional if they are respectful and culturally competent to
others with or without knowing their values, beliefs, and customs. To be a servant leader is to be
professional. Communicating effectively is an important quality to have as a servant leader.
Listening and being aware of the values and diversity of different groups provides better
understanding to servant leaders (Neill & Saunders, 2008). This will be valuable information to
have while visiting with the residents at Sitter & Barfoot. To understand and be aware of the
different values and beliefs all the residents may have will be of value to my group and myself. It
will be important to have an open mind during this experience and in many more to come.
The population of veterans is a very large one. Some barriers to health care are getting all
of their mental health needs met. Some may suffer from PTSD or other mental health illnesses
and may not be seeking care. The key barriers identified by the United States Government
Accountability Office are: stigma associated with seeing mental health treatment, logistical
challenges, and the perception of who the health care is for. Veterans are often not seeking care
because they fear what others may think. They also are uneducated of the fact that the Veterans
Association does not only cover men, but also women. The coverage also does not depend on
age. Therefore, women and men that are younger are not aware that the VAs resources are not
age or gender restricted (United States Government Accountability Office, 2011).

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

From working with the Veteran population I hope I can learn about their lives and how
they got to where they are now. I hope that I can hear stories from them about their experiences
and how they fought for our country. I think I can empower them to be my teacher because I am
so willing to learn. I will use this experience to enhance my therapeutic communication and to
focus on my listening skills. I will be aware that this population may not be what I expect and am
open to learn more about other people. I am greatly looking forward to my time at Sitter &
Barfoot with my group.

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

6
References

Neill, M., & Saunders, N. (2008). Servant leadership: Enhancing quality of care and staff
satisfaction. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 38(9), 395-400.
United States Government Accountability Office, (2011). VA mental health: Number of veterans
receiving care, barriers faced, and efforts to increase access (GAO-12-12). Retrieved
from website: http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/585743.pdf