title: Gains and development of undergraduate nursing students during a 2-year community service program.
abstract: Service-learning has long been regarded as a teaching strategy that promotes student learning while simultaneously contributing to the community. This article reports the service-learning experience of undergraduate nursing students who participated in a project with two nongovernmental organizations that enabled students to visit disadvantaged older adults on a regular basis. Fifty-two students were recruited to join the study. A content analysis of their reflective journals regarding their service-learning experience was performed. The texts were compared on the basis of their differences and similarities, sorted into categories, and then abstracted into themes. Four themes were identified: "I have learned a lot," "I have changed over time," "My perception of older people has changed," and "I have learned through experience." The students gained valuable experience from this project during a 2-year period. The main learning outcome was improved communication skills. The experience also promoted students' personal growth and professional development.
authors.forename: Claudia K Y
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Joyce H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ivy Y P
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Jeff T S
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Phyllis C P
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Keith H K
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Carol P S
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Kwok
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012649:Self Concept; D012946:Social Welfare; D055815:Young Adult