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Running head: Service Learning Through the Developmental Assessment Clinic
Service Learning Through the Developmental Assessment Clinic
Nicole Chambers
Ferris State University
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Service Learning Through the Developmental Assessment Clinic
Abstract
Service learning is serving within your community and learning while you do so. I have chosen
to do my service learning through the Developmental Assessment Clinic in Saginaw, MI. The
clinic assesses development of the high risk and premature infants. Infants are seen by multiple
professionals during their visit which include a registered nurse (RN), physical (PT) and
occupational therapist (OT), dietitian and if needed a neonatologist. As a volunteer I will be
assisting with assessments, making appointments and teaching parents. After assessments are
completed I, along with the RN, will be comparing the infant’s measurements to growth charts. I
will learn important information about critical milestones the infant will meet and also about diet
and physical development. I will meet objectives that are necessary to complete the bachelor of
nursing degree through Ferris State University. In conclusion I will examine what I learn and
how I plan to evaluate what I have learned.
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Service Learning Through the Developmental Assessment Clinic
Service Learning Proposal
What is service learning? Service learning is just that learning while you serve. It is
offering your services as a professional in order to help the community and learn something new
while doing so. Getting out into the community is a great way to sharpen your tools that has been
gained throughout your career. According to Ferris State University Service learning policy
(2010, p.1), “Service learning is a form of practical experience, enhances learning in all areas of
a nursing program, and the experience of community service reinforces the moral and civic
values inherent in serving others”. The agency I have decided to do my service learning through
is the Developmental Assessment Clinic (DAC) at Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw, MI.
Agency Description
The Developmental Assessment Clinic also known as the DAC is a follow up clinic to
the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The clinic serves eighteen counties. The DAC was
developed to follow the growth and development of premature infants. The goal of the DAC is
assess and perform a screen on high risk infants and to identify and provide interventions for the
infants. (Covenant healthcare 2002) High risk infants are described as infants who were born
with complications at time of birth, low birth weight or prematurity. These high risk infants are
watched more closely to identify disabilities to be treated early. Often treating early can decrease
effects the infants may face. Infant are seen as early as one month or as late as six months. After
the first visit it is determined how often the infant will need to be seen. There are many different
professionals the infants are seen by in the DAC. Every infant is seen by a nurse, physical
therapist, dietician and a social worker. The nurse performs a developmental assessment, weighs
and measures each infant. The infants may also be seen by, if necessary, a psychologist and a
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Service Learning Through the Developmental Assessment Clinic
neonatologist. If a disability is found or suspected the infant’s pediatrician is notified and
referrals are made as needed. (Covenant Healthcare, 2002)
Infants with apnea are sent home on monitors who alarm when it senses apnea. The DAC
provides downloading of the monitors. After results have been obtained it is determined if the
infant needs to continue to wear the monitor or other interventions are indicated.
During the infants visit to the DAC teaching with the family is reinforced form that
which was done in the NICU. This visit offers an additional opportunity to discuss normal
development, diet and any other questions the families may have.
Volunteer Role Description
As a volunteer to the DAC I will have multiple opportunities to help the community. One
of the jobs the DAC does is contact the family of infants to set up the initial appointment. I will
be helping with this process. I will be calling individuals to set up their first appointment. My
other duties will include measuring and weighing infants. This will help the nurses so they are
able to do the developmental assessment. I will also help with teaching and reinforce the
teaching that was done in the NICU. Teaching will include diet, apnea and developmental
milestones. Since the DAC serves eighteen communities I will not only have the chance to help
my community but many others in northern Michigan.
Objectives Related to the Program
As a Volunteer to the DAC I hope to learn more about the developing infant and the
impact that the DAC has on the community. I hope to learn how collaborative care improves the
outcome for these infants. All children go to well baby check in which they only see the
pediatrician. In the DAC the high risk infants are able to be seen by many disciplines. I am
anxious to see how the multiple disciplines work together. This experience will help to fulfill a
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Service Learning Through the Developmental Assessment Clinic
few of the bachelors of nursing degree objectives. The objectives that I will fulfill are genralistic
nursing practice and professionalism (Ferris 2011).
Activities to Meet Objectives
Objectives that I plan to meet include genralistic nursing practice and professionalism
(Ferris 2011). Genralistic nursing practice will be meet with multiple activities. During my
experience I will be performing assessments that will help decide the disciplines that will need to
be involved in infant care. I will work with children from infant to five years old from the many
communities. Patient safety will be practiced throughout my experience by providing a safe
environment that is suitable for infants. I also will meet the objective of professionalism
throughout my experience. Professionalism is a must when working with the public. I will
demonstrate this with ethics and values that are necessary for nurses. As I set out on this journey
I hope to learn more about the developing infant. I plan to learn this through working with other
disciplines and the nurses. I hope to learn what to expect our premature infants and high risk
infants when assessing their development in comparison to normal infants. I will assess this
through growth charts and research based care. I will also listen to the other disciplines while
they assess and teach parents. I also hope to learn how the DAC impacts the community. The
care and assessment provided now can impact how these children grow and develop throughout
their lives.
Evaluation
After I have completed my twenty hours of volunteering I will take time to reflect on
what I have learned. I will have a better understanding of what milestones premature infants
versus normal infants make and at what age. I will also see how the DAC affects the eighteen
communities it reaches. As a new NICU nurse I hope to learn from my peers and other
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Service Learning Through the Developmental Assessment Clinic
disciplines to make me a better nurse. I will be able to see infants pass the critical stage and what
they have overcome. There will be times that I will have to research answers and learn from my
peers. I know that at the end of this experience I will look back and know that I have made a
difference in some one’s life and they in return have impacted my life.
Agency Contact Information
Agency: Covenant Healthcare Developmental Assessment Clinic
Contact Person: Rebecca Champney RN, BSN
Contact Phone: 989-583-4298
Contact Email: Rchampney@chs-mi.com
Contact Address: 1447 N. Harrison
Saginaw, MI 48602
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Service Learning Through the Developmental Assessment Clinic
Reference
Covenant Healthcare. (2002). Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic. Saginaw, MI.
Ferris Stated University. (2011). BSN Program Outcomes. Retrieved from
http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/BSN-program-outcomes.htm