Transcript Slide 1

Story Writing:
A Teaching Tool in Community
Health Nursing Education
Association of Community Health
Educators Conference
June 4 - 7, 2008
Story Writing
 WCU Public Health Course
 Partners: Regional health departments
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WCU
Resource to the community
 Special Project
 Need identified by agency
 Story on a health topic
 Need identified by student
Use of Stories
 Part of our heritage and culture
 Entertainment
 Pass on information
 Connect us to other people
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 Used in primary grades
 Stimulate the imagination
 Recall important facts
 Enhance skills
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Writing
Interviewing
Use of Stories in Nursing
 Inspirational / reflective
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Canfield, J., Hansen, M., Mitchell-Autio, N., & Thieman,
L. (2001). Chicken soup for the nurse’s soul. Deerfield
Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc.
Igniting the flame [workshop]
 Educational tool
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WCU
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Revised/adapted with permission of Cross, S., & Nuxoll,
K. (2004). Assignment I: Storytelling and review of
evidence-based literature. Class assignment, N4322N4401, University of Minnesota.
Used as clinical teaching tool
Story Writing: Guidelines
Assignment Should:
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Impart accurate up-to-date information
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Prologue/introduction (brief)
 Discuss the problem using referenced information
 Identify the target audience
 Set the scene or start with a commonly held
assumption
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Story Writing: Guidelines
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Story
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Personify the story
Use pictures or graphics that are not
copyrighted
Present a message that is clear and concise
Include at least one memorable fact
End with a positive outcome and a final takeaway message
Story Writing: Guidelines
 Evaluation
 Read the story aloud to a friend and ask
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Does the story flow easily?
Will the targeted audience understand the
message?
What is the take-away message?
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory based on
criteria
 Reference page
Story Writing: Examples
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Story Writing: Outcomes
Outcomes:
 Improved writing skills
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Must be concise
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Must use appropriate
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Thinking processes
Vocabulary
Graphics
Age appropriate
Use of creativity
Enhanced knowledge of topic
Story Writing
 Benefits
 Students learn from the assignment
 Students enjoy the assignment
 Students get feedback from peers
 Agencies have a tangible product
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Story Writing
Lessons Learned
Students are very creative
 Needs to be in publishable format
 Visuals & copyright issues
 English & Spanish translations
 Culturally diverse graphics
 Cost of publishing
 Editing is more than it appears
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WCU
Contact Information
WCU School of Nursing
Jean Hill, EdD, RN, C
[email protected]
828-670- 8810 x 237
WCU Enka Campus
1459 Sand Hill Road
Candler, NC 28715
WCU