Appalachian Comm Engmt Trip

Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The Appalachian Community Engagement (ACE) Experiential Learning Course is a faculty-led, service learning experience for prelicensure, graduate, and doctoral nursing students occurring in rural West Virginia. The students will be selected for participation through a competitive application process. This program explores rural social determinants of health, health equity, and cultural humility through professional formation, personal service, and experiential exposure to Appalachian culture. This experience exemplifies Georgetown University School of Nursing’s Jesuit values of cura communitas, contemplation in action, people for others, diversity and belonging, care of the common home and principled leadership. All activities will be developed and conducted based on the needs identified by the community partners. Students will directly engage with community members, healthcare providers, and local leaders and participate in experiential learning opportunities that foster (1) being immersed in the Appalachian culture, (2) understanding drivers of health disparities, including systemic and institutional barriers to care and wellness support, (3) exploring the impact of social determinants of health on individual and community wellness, (4) developing leadership skills, and (5) advancing professional formation. Sample activities may include health assessment and screenings, health promotion and wellness initiatives, community health education, and provision of professional development activities for local healthcare providers. Relevant program topics include health equity within the context of community health, public health, and the promotion of health. All practice-related activities will be commensurate with the education level of the student and will be conducted with direct faculty oversight. To foster contemplation in action, students will participate in faculty-led reflection that examines the intersections of culture, community, health, service, and faith.