A importância dos serviços de extensão no ensino de enfermagem
: a experiência do Centro de Enfermagem da Católica

Translated title of the thesis: The importance of extension services in nursing education: the experience of the centro de enfermagem da católica

Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

Since Nightingale, systematized nursing education has encouraged the acquisition of students' competencies through theoretical and clinical teaching. In this process, the number of hours and the supervision model adopted has changed over time. The most important, the monitoring of students in the practical component, can be done by using the direct supervision of the teacher, by the nurse in the place of the practice, mentoring or integration in Dedicated Education Units. The integration of nursing education in higher education has brought, along with the training of students, the obligation of educational units to research and reach out to the community. Previous studies into nursing clinical teaching contexts and strategies had demonstrated the need to deepen the knowledge of the contribution to teaching that an outreach service could have. The Porto nursing School (UCP) created and developed a Catholic Nursing Centre (CEC) as an extension service. This process was analysed regarding its specific contribution to nursing teaching. The present research was based on a case study and focused on the ten years of CEC activity (2007-2017). Sources related to CEC as well as the contents from interviews with key players were considered in the research documentary. Two theoretical bases were used: Imogene King’s theory which identifies the structure of interaction systems as a dynamic articulation of the systems between them; David Kolb’s theory which argues that learning stems from the transformation of experience. The first theory is proposed as one that integrates the individual to the social systems or communities in which the nurse-client relationship is found. The second emanates from the assumption that an individual has the potential for development which is encouraged by reflective thinking. The results indicate that the creation of CEC as an extension service and a place of clinical nursing teaching, was an adequate response to students' learning needs. It was also seen that this service, supports research, nursing services, and counselling, while integrating support for teaching. This also allowed the innovation and orientation in line with the institution's mission, values, and vision. In the ten years of this activity which were studied, it is evident that it empowered the most vulnerable clients and communities This empowerment was based on community intervention projects that adequately respond to the teaching and research requirements. It is also evident that the intervention highlighted the potential for improvement in the systematization of the impact and results. The purpose of this study is to integrate the mentoring component (also within peers) into teaching support; in research support, to reinforce Community-based Research with the aim of producing and mobilizing knowledge in and with communities as a response to the problems found.
Date of Award5 Sept 2018
Original languagePortuguese
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorMargarida Maria Vieira (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Community-based research
  • Nursing education
  • University extension
  • Case study
  • Clinical teaching
  • Community based research

Designation

  • Doutoramento em Enfermagem

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