Exploring home visits in a faith community as a service-learning opportunity

SummaryBackground 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 studentsʹ and family membersʹ experience of home visits within a faith community. e lore and describe nursing studentsʹ and family membersʹ experiences of home visits within a faith community. itative approach was used that was phenomenological, explorative and descriptive and contextual in nature. g search 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. ipants en (n = 18) final year nursing students from different cultural representations, grouped into seven groups conducted home visits at seven (n = 7) families. s hensive reflective reporting after the visits, namely that the students participated in a World Café data collection technique and interviews were conducted with family members. s main themes emerged: studentsʹ initial experiences of feeling overwhelmed but later felt more competent; studentsʹ awareness of religious and cultural factors; and studentsʹ perception of their role. Two main themes from the family members emerged: experiencing caring and growth. sions is mutual benefit for nursing students and family members. Studentsʹ 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.