Using journals for community health students engaged in group work

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Community Health Nursing
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Community health nursing education requires students to grasp collaboration and partnership concepts.
• Clinical practice in community settings necessitates understanding group processes and self-evaluation.
• Students often need structured methods to reflect on their learning within group work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of a structured, graded, weekly journal as a teaching and learning tool.
• To facilitate student reflection on self-learning within collaborative group work.
• To assist students in understanding group process in community health nursing practice.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a structured, graded, weekly journal for faculty and students.
• Utilizing the journal to document and reflect on clinical practica experiences.
• Focusing journal content on group process and self-growth evaluation.

Main Results:

• The weekly journal effectively facilitated student reflection on their learning experiences.
• Students demonstrated improved understanding of group dynamics and collaborative processes.
• The journal served as a valuable tool for self-assessment and personal growth.

Conclusions:

• A structured, graded, weekly journal is an effective pedagogical tool in community health nursing education.
• This method enhances students' ability to understand and navigate group processes.
• The journal promotes critical self-reflection, crucial for professional development in community health nursing.