Service-learning within a midwifery curriculum

Service-learning entwines community work/volunteerism with midwifery academic instruction, taking the student outside the traditional clinical realm and placing the experience into community-based projects. These projects draw on academic principles, public/community health, liberal arts, and hands on delivery, enticing the student to delve deeper into the lives of the women and families they will be serving. Service-learning directs the student to fully embrace the midwifery philosophy as espoused by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. The experiences of the nurse-midwifery students at the University of Missouri-Columbia are described to show the depth and variety of service-learning as it reflects the scope of well woman care.