Civic Engagement: A Literature Review

The title of DNP scholarly project number 2 is Long-Term Outcomes of Service-Learning on Civic Engagement and Professional Nursing Practice. The study sought to determine if a correlation existed between participation in the service-learning experience and self-efficacy toward civic engagement as a long-term outcome of professional nursing education. This study finding revealed that there is a definite relationship between the pedagogy of service-learning within the professional nursing curriculum and the development of self-efficacy for long-term civic engagement as well as professional practice. This positive finding is supported by the service-learning literature and addresses the development of professional nursing students in the overall

concern of long-term commitment to the community.
This DNP project correlated with this author’s phenomena of interest as well as the author’s theoretical framework. Service-Learning is a teaching pedagogy that links theory to practice while meeting an individual community need (National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, 2012). The relative new teaching methodology allows application of theory to the real-world environment. This type experiential learning increases students understanding of course content as well as enhances civic responsibility. According to the American Association of Colleges & Universities, “service-learning is a community-based form of experiential learning that is a high impact educational practice.” (Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2012).
Bandura’s Social Cognitive theory is the theoretical framework that this author will utilize to guide the selected DNP project. Self-efficacy influences a person’s feelings toward his or her ability to succeed in a specific situation (Artino, 2012). The DNP project I am considering will focus on expanding the development of self-efficacy in nursing students through service learning. The project findings will assist with developing policies and protocols for future service-learning projects.