ABSTRACT

Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan College of Nursing envisions providing

excellent healthcare and being responsive to the needs of the local and global market.
The nursing program is community-oriented, and revolves around the promotion of
health, prevention of illness, and rehabilitation of clients in the community.
In line with the goal of providing opportunities for students to become involved in
community activities and services, efforts were made to work on a series of
microteaching and on herbal medicine planting project for two succeeding academic
years since 2015. This activity is also an engagement of the Service Learning Program
(SLP) component of the College of Nursing Level 3 students at Sitio Patpat, Brgy.
Lumbia last March 2016 and September 2016.
The first microteaching highlighted the topics hypertension, heat stroke, and
animal bites. Conducted last March 2016, students aimed to impart their knowledge
regarding first aid interventions and empower community when these situations and
conditions arise. On September 2016, students executed the planned culminating
activities. Topics such as dengue, gastrointestinal parasites, and substance abuse was
carried out successfully and met with positive feedback from the target audience.
Furthermore, households in the community were assessed and an ocular survey
was performed in order to locate an appropriate place for planting. In addition,
enhancement was conducted regarding types of herbal plants and Community
Organization Participatory Action Research (COPAR). Preparation of sites selected for
planting began and finalizing assessment data obtained during the first week. The

chosen plants were Kalabo, Tawa-tawa, Yerba Buena, Sambong, Lagundi, Hilbas, and
Tanglad.
Medicinal herbal planting aims to educate the residents in the community about
herbal remedies approved by the Department of Health. These plants serve the function
of alternative medicines to the community, providing treatment to health problems such
as cough, cold, fever, and diarrhea. These medicinal plants also aid in the prevention of
chronic diseases and lifestyle conditions such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
The said community engagement had positive impact on academic outcomes
such as demonstrated complexity of understanding, problem analysis, problem-solving,
critical thinking, and cognitive development. More so, this served as an avenue to build
leadership and exert personal efficacy which leads to better opportunities and enhanced
community-university relations.