title: Preceptors' Experience of Nursing Service-Learning Projects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Service-learning is a teaching-learning strategy in higher education that provides hands-on experiences in authentic clinical environments. Mutual decision making, shared goals, reciprocity, and tangible benefits to organizations and the people they serve are hallmarks of service-learning. However, the literature is sparse pertaining to preceptor experiences with service-learning projects, the extent of reciprocity, or the projects' impact on those who received the service.
  
  
  METHODS
  A small phenomenological study was conducted to better understand the experiences of four community-based health professionals who worked with nursing students on service-learning projects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes emerged from face-to-face interviews and written reflections: (a) reciprocity among preceptor, clinical faculty, and student, (b) intentional planning and project clarity, (c) meaningful and authentic experience, and (d) valued and beneficial contributions that addressed a need.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Insight gained from the experiences of the four preceptors in this study suggest that through careful planning and reciprocity, service-learning can have a positive impact on community-based organizations and the people they serve.
authors.forename: Heather C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Voss
mesh_terms: D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D011231:Preceptorship