Mentoring Experience of Nursing Students Participating in a Health Promotion Program for Elementary School Students

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the monitoring experience of nursing students and to suggest considerations when developing mentoring programs. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted by online surveys and individual interviews with 7 nursing students who participated in the health promotion program as mentors. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify motives for participating in mentoring and to explore their changes through mentoring. Results: The results were as follows: Motives for participating were 'inquisitiveness about children', 'interest in mentoring activities' and 'curiosity about research'. Recognition of mentor roles were 'actively involved guide', 'exemplary role model' and 'empathetic emotional supporter'. Changes through mentoring experiences were revealed by 'understanding the characteristics of children', 'improvement of interaction ability with children', 'understanding self and changes' and 'recognition of excellence in forest activities'. Conclusion: Nursing students had opportunities to learn the characteristics of general children and to understand themselves through natural interaction. Participation in mentoring has the potential to be a creative educational method of field learning as a form of service learning.

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Seniors and Undergraduates Mutually Benefit From an Interprofessional Service-Learning Health Promotion Program

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 8-8

Author(s):

Britteny Howell

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Service Learning ◽

Learning Outcomes ◽

Low Income ◽

Interprofessional Education ◽

Interdisciplinary Teams ◽

Health Promotion Program ◽

Positive Health ◽

Promotion Program

Abstract Although benefits of service-learning and interprofessional education (IPE) have been separately well documented to be effective for students in gerontology and geriatrics courses, few curricula appear to integrate both aspects into a single course for undergraduate students in public health. This poster discusses the development and implementation of a service-learning health promotion program utilizing IPE embedded within two courses in two different departments at a mid-sized university. Students worked in interdisciplinary teams and acquired interprofessional educational learning outcomes while they engaged in their first experiences working with diverse older adults at a low-income, independent-living housing community. Twenty-five students (N=25) each team-taught 2 sessions on nutrition, physical activity, and stress reduction techniques in a 10-week program. Qualitative and quantitative results are presented which demonstrate significant learning outcomes from the students about the health needs of the aging population and increased comfort in working with older adults. Older participants in the program also reported positive health and psychological outcomes from their participation. Limitations, challenges, and next steps are also presented.

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