Shelaina Y. Lewis

December 3, 2008

EXL Reflection Essay

Middle Tennessee State University

Reflection may be defined as the capacity to contemplate and learn more about our purpose. When looking at my goals as a learner, I desired to be a better leader as an outcome of this course. This self-reflection essay is personal. It shares the impact that experiential learning (EXL) had on me and reveals how this knowledge may be used for future positioning. Although the program quickly passed, I have learned a great deal of information and my learning will not cease with graduation.

This journey through nursing school has been a learning experience of adjustment and performance. The complexity and intensity of nursing didactic and clinical courses introduced me to new teaching styles and learning atmospheres. They required higher performance, critical thinking, and large projects simultaneously. Initially I was overwhelmed but by taking all the small steps, I learned that I was capable of balancing all of the work and community service learning. My time management skills also improved over the last 2 ½ years.

I gained a lot of insight and perspective through service learning, professional presentations, and dialogue papers. They also gave me a chance to get to know various individuals and community aggregates. I thought that group projects were the most fun because it provided room for creativity and diverse opinions. Working in groups allowed me to get to know others and express work ethics through teamwork. It also gave me a chance to think critically and analytically through discussions and assignments with fellow classmates and the community.

Experiential learning (EXL) courses have helped me examine issues in more detail than I normally would have. It broadened my mind to diverse situations, individuals, opportunities, and opinions where I held no knowledge. EXL and nursing school helped influence my self examination and crystallize my direction in life. They have lead to the internal happiness for what I am doing with my life, where I want to go, what I want to be, and what kind of person I have become. I am more confident in my opinions despite the ever changing spectrum of the health care industry. I feel the experiential learning was a good step to opening my mind to so many possibilities. The variation of lecture styles, group projects, hands-on experience, and presentations directly related to my individual learning experience. The exposure of the real world experience has changed my opinions and thoughts to provide holistic consideration in care.

I have been fortunate to study the transition of individuals and the community as a whole. My passion lies in helping others and I take that self-appointed attribute seriously. I have begun to see new aspects of my belief through service learning projects and assignments. I discovered that I can affect change on a daily basis through fulfilling my social and career responsibilities by reaching out to people on an individual basis. I have gained many important insights, gained value in learning behaviors, and developed meaningful relationships to allow me to continue to learn and grow as an effective leader in my practice.

Lewis 1

Shelaina

2008-12-04