Bringing theory to life: engaging nursing students in a collaborative population-based screening project

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nursing Education
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Rising rates of bowel cancer necessitate innovative prevention strategies.
• Effective screening programs are crucial for early detection and improved outcomes.
• Integrating practical experience into nursing education enhances student learning and community impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the engagement of nursing students in a population-based bowel cancer prevention project.
• To evaluate the application of a population health template in a community-based education and screening campaign.
• To assess the impact of the initiative on student learning and local bowel cancer mortality rates.

Main Methods:

• A collaborative, population-based project focused on bowel cancer prevention.
• Involvement of nursing students in applying theoretical knowledge to practical, community-based interventions.
• Utilized a population health template to guide education and screening efforts.
• Collected project evaluation data on student learning outcomes and campaign effectiveness.

Main Results:

• The campaign served as a valuable teaching-learning experience for nursing students.
• Student engagement and the use of the population health template contributed to the education and screening campaign.
• The project provided insights into strengthening future population health initiatives.
• The initiative aimed to reduce and report on local bowel cancer deaths.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative, community-based projects offer significant opportunities for nursing student education in population health.
• The integration of theory and practice in cancer prevention campaigns benefits students, organizers, and the community.
• Evaluation data are essential for refining and improving public health initiatives.
• This project demonstrates a successful model for addressing bowel cancer prevention through education and screening.