Service Learning Experience on Health Habits in High School Students Conducted by Nursing Students: A Qualitative Design

Abstract

Service learning is a teaching methodology that combines learning and service to the community in the same well-articulated project, where the participants are trained to improve and work on the real needs of the environment. This paper aimed to explore learning about healthy habits and standards of nursing professional practice through a service learning activity between nursing students and high school students. Data of participants (N = 127 high school students and N = 12 nursing students) were collected by the high school students’ healthy habits mind map and with the help of the nursing students’ reflective journals. A generic qualitative design using content analysis was performed. After the activity, high school students identified which habits they should improve, such as diet, physical activity, resting time, and emotional health. By performing the activity, nursing students increased their knowledge about health habits, as well as their communication skills, confidence in public speaking, and awareness about community nurses’ tasks. Service learning activity on health habits conducted by nursing students in a high school has a positive effect on the knowledge of healthy habits for both participants, nursing and high school students. Participating in an activity of service learning improves communication skills among first-year nursing students and narrows the gap between university theory and nursing practice.

Promoting the empowerment and emancipation of community-dwelling older adults with chronic multimorbidity through a home visiting programme: a hermeneutical study

“…Research shows that nursing students are capable of effectively implementing individualized health promoting interventions [ 21 – 24 ] that could have positive effects on patients [ 25 ]. In fact, other interventions in which nursing students promoted health among vulnerable groups have shown positive effects on quality of life [ 26 ], accessibility to the healthcare system [ 27 ] and health knowledge [ 28 , 29 ]. In this regard, nursing students could be a health asset for community-dwelling older adults with chronic multimorbidity [ 30 ].…”

Teaching the physiology of the human body in non-formal spaces: pilot experience of a Service-Learning methodology and the interaction between students of different educational levels

“…Due to the potential benefits of this “learning by doing” or “learning through teaching” methodology, the American Psychological Association (APA) recommended, in 2010, the engagement of undergraduate students in experiences that contribute to applying what they learn, such as volunteer activities and Service-Learning ( Halpern, 2010 ). In fact, several studies describe how significant learning experiences have been successfully developed undertaken with Medicine and Nursing students in the field of physiology, involving a very specific issue such as kidney disease ( Reddix, 2023 ), pharmacology ( Husaini et al, 2022 ), the physiology of drug addiction ( Lichtenberg et al, 2020 ) and the promotion of healthy habits ( Glòria et al, 2022 ). These activities, consisted in the development of lessons and demonstrations, aiming to enhance the interest and understanding of the students on health issues and increase their knowledge and their communication skills, among others.…”