PowerPoint Presentation

Mel TrotterPublic Inebriate: Service LearningKelli ErbNURS 450Ferris State University

IntroductionThe Service Learning assignment was introduced in the beginning of the RN-BSN programService Learning definition: A teaching technique in which students participate in a community service activity that is clearly related to the academic objectives of a course and/or major field of study. As a result, students gain relevant, hands-on experience while improving the quality of life of citizens in our region (nsula.edu).

Service Learning promotes students to take an active role in the community.2Mel Trotter BackgroundMel Trotter, with a group of other community members, opened the ministry in 1900. Since then hundreds of thousands of men and womens lives have been changed.Mel Trotter has a homeless shelter for men and women and they have a program for those seeking help from substance abuse.(meltrotter.org)

Slide Mel Trotter ministries has a food pantry, work programs, free or low cost dental, vision, and chiropractic services for those in need.3Mel Trotter MissionMel Trotter Ministries exists to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ toward the hungry, homeless and hurting of the greater Grand Rapids area

(meltrotter.org)

Impressive Accomplishments 201373,000 beds provided to men, women, and childrenServed 163,940 hot mealsFood Pantry supplied 4,741 families115 families found permanent housing55 jobs were secured2,211 visits to Vision, Chiropractic, and Dental services, valued at $322,28678 visits to legal clinic1,031 public inebriate visits, keeping them out of the ERLow cost transportation to 241 people through vehicle donation and resale(meltrotter.org)

When looking at the data from 2014, the numbers are even more impressive and many of the most recent numbers have exceeded the numbers of 20135Public Inebriates ProgramPeople who are profoundly intoxicated (drunk) are brought to the Grand Rapids shelter by police officers, EMTs, friends or good Samaritans. Currently, 2 rooms with 7 beds are available for men, where respectful and discrete care can be given. We also have a separate room for women where privacy and safety are ensured. Guests are given a safe place to sleep, which includes the observation of medical personnel. During the inebriates stay, he or she is offered a hot meal, a shower, clean clothing, and personal care items. Staff members also encourage inebriates to seek the services of a substance abuse recovery program. Most important, the staff is ready to provide a listening ear in addition to offering the hope that is found in Jesus Christ (meltrotter.org).

In addition to helping those in need with shelter and food, Mel Trotter has a public inebriate program. The definition of the PI program is on this slide. This is a very accurate description of what happens to those who need to stay in the PI room. The part of this that was very interesting to me is the statement profoundly intoxicated. I dont usually see patients in the hospital until they are hallucinating and detoxing. I saw all men during my volunteer hours and they could barely walk or talk and usually had urinated or vomited on themselves.6Public inebriate programSaves hospitals money

$1,000 per public inebriate

January-June 2014 saved hospitals $637,000!!!!

Bonin, N. (personal communication, July 14,2014).

Volunteer RoleMonitor Public Inebriate (PI) that was brought into shelterTake vitalsHelp get them cleaned up if they urinated or threw upDressed wounds if neededKept the PIs safeOffer a listening ear and encouragement

Critical reflection: Elements of ReasoningInitial ThoughtsAssumptionsI was scaredTons of intoxicated homeless men all overThe place would be unkempt

I assumed there would be more men when I was volunteeringI assumed there would be more womenI assumed I would be able to talk to them and try to understand their life.

Initial thoughts: When I signed up for this I really didnt know what to expect. I was terrified about it. I always volunteered with another person which was helpful. I thought the shelter would be unkempt and not very nice.

I also thought I would be really busy every time I was there. I assumed I would see more women and I never actually cared for a female PI. I also assumed I would do more hand holding like I do in the hospital setting.9Critical reflection (cont)Information AttainedChanges to thought processI wasnt able to interact with the PIs as much as I thought I wouldThe PIs were checked in and given a sandwich and slept it offMany get disability or steal to get boozeMel Trotter is a really nice placeThey have lots of rules for those in the programI think this is a wonderful program and helpful to the communityMel Trotter needs more volunteersEvery time I see someone standing on the corner looking for money, I want to tell them about Mel Trotter

I didnt get much interaction with the PIs besides checking them in and getting them some food. The guys that run the front desk are men who were once homeless or are in Mel Trotters substance abuse program. Those guys help the nurses get the PIs cleaned up and make sure they dont try anything. I also saw a lot of the same men come in to sleep it off. I asked the director of Mel Trotters program where these men get alcohol to get as drunk as they do, and she said many of them get monthly checks from disability or they just steal it. I was really surprised once I was inside Mel Trotter. It is beautiful inside and they have furniture that was donated from Art Van and it is really nice. I wasnt always with the public inebriates. I was able to help give meds to men and women that were in the substance abuse programs and they have a lot of rules for them. It is very strict. They have to participate and actively work towards making their life better.I had no idea there were programs out there for the homeless and Mel Trotter is not the only one. Everytime I see someone standing on the side of the road asking for help, I want to stop and tell them to go to Mel Trotter, but they all know about it. Many of them just want money for more booze. I also know now Mel Trotter needs more volunteers. They have two full time RNs but want people to work through the night and on the weekends. Mel Trotters ultimate goal is to be open 24/7. 10Critical reflectionI have a special place in my heart for alcoholicsI enjoyed making sure the PIs were safeI think Mel Trotter does amazing workService Learning is important for the community as well as making student more well rounded.

I have a special place in my heart for alcoholics and I was hoping I wouldve been able to talk with them like I can in the hospital setting, but they were usually too intoxicated for talking. I did enjoy monitoring them and making sure they were safe. After spending time at Mel Trotter, I was really impressed with everything they do for the community. I feel like the service learning assignment has made me more aware of services offered in the community and has made me a well rounded nurse.11SynthesisThis volunteer opportunity has helped me increase my knowledge about different services offered in the community which has helped me provide resources to the inpatient populationI understand the positive impact it has on the community, including the homeless population, substance abusers and the hospitalsI may not have stopped the PI from drinking but I kept them safe

Learning SummaryI learned a lot about Mel Trotter and services they offer to the communityI helped pass medication to those individuals that are in Mel Trotters substance abuse programsThis opportunity got me out of my comfort zoneAdded diversity to my learning experiencesThere is still a need for volunteer nurses to help in the PI program

This opportunity was way out of my comfort zone. I have always felt very safe in the hospital setting and I was worried about not feeling safe at Mel Trotter. The men who are in the substance abuse program and really protective of the RNs and they usually walked me to my car after leaving since Mel Trotter is not in the best neighborhood. If Mel Trotter had a volunteer opportunity to talk with the men and women in their substance abuse program, that is something I would be interested in, in the future. I think I could fulfill my need for hand holding and listening with those people. This opportunity also added some diversity to my learning experiences and career as a nurse. I rarely deal with homeless individuals in the hospital so I was able to see another side to nursing.13RecommendationsI would recommend this volunteer opportunity, but with another RN. It was interesting and I feel it helped me connect with the community betterIt felt great knowing I was helping keep these men safe and out of harms way

ReferencesMel Trotter Ministries. (n.d.) Shelter for Public Inebriates. Retrieved from http://www.meltrotter.org/shelter-for-public-inebriates

Service Learning. (n.d.). Northwestern State University of Lousiana. Retrieved from http://servicelearning.nsula.edu/service-learning-definition