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.