Service learning with vulnerable populations: review of the literature

The service learning model has been touted as a powerful pedagogical approach, a reasonable option for providing care to vulnerable and diverse populations, and a vehicle for educating nursing students to become agents of social change. The literature on service learning with vulnerable populations in nursing education is reviewed and synthesized in this article. A description of service learning experiences, identification of knowledge and skills learned, opportunities for critical thinking and reflection, and a discussion of factors that act as enablers and barriers to service learning are explored. Recommendations for successful integration of service learning into educational settings are provided for nurse educators, academic institutions and community partners. As the service learning model spreads across nursing education it is suggested that it offers promise to foster social change and produce graduates who are fully engaged citizens and professionals.