Exploring home visits in a faith community as a service-learning opportunity.
BACKGROUND
Within South Africa the Psychiatric Nursing Science curriculum in undergraduate Baccalaureate nursing education utilizes home visits as a service-learning opportunity. In this context faith communities are currently unexplored with regards to service-learning opportunities. With limited literature available on this topic, the question was raised as to what are these students' and family members' experience of home visits within a faith community.


OBJECTIVE
To explore and describe nursing students' and family members' experiences of home visits within a faith community.


METHODS
A qualitative approach was used that was phenomenological, explorative and descriptive and contextual in nature.


METHODS
The research was conducted within a faith community as service learning opportunity for Baccalaureate degree nursing students. This community was situated in a semi-urban area in the North-West Province, South Africa.


METHODS
Eighteen (n=18) final year nursing students from different cultural representations, grouped into seven groups conducted home visits at seven (n=7) families.


METHODS
Comprehensive reflective reporting after the visits, namely that the students participated in a World Café data collection technique and interviews were conducted with family members.


RESULTS
Three main themes emerged: students' initial experiences of feeling overwhelmed but later felt more competent; students' awareness of religious and cultural factors; and students' perception of their role. Two main themes from the family members emerged: experiencing caring and growth.


CONCLUSIONS
There is mutual benefit for nursing students and family members. Students' experiences progress during home visits from feeling overwhelmed and incompetent towards a trusting relationship. Home visits in a faith community seems to be a valuable service learning opportunity, and the emotional competence, as well as spiritual and cultural awareness of nursing students should be facilitated in preparation for such home visits.
School of Nursing Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa. Emmerentia.DuPlessis@nwu.ac.za
Emmerentia
E
du Plessis
Magdalene P
MP
Koen
Petra
P
Bester
D001364:Awareness; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D012067:Religion; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology