Characteristics and Perceptions of Nursing Students Who Participated as Student Assistants in Community Senior Citizens Club Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

<p>Objective:This study aimed to clarify the characteristics and perceptions of nursing students who participated as student assistants in community senior citizens club activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:The participants were 5 fourth-year nursing students. A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data obtained from self-administered questionnaires and interviews.Results:The average scores on the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) scale were highest for ‘understanding’, followed by ‘career’ and ‘values’, while ‘protective’, which had the lowest average score, showed a significant increase after the activities (p < .05). Six categories emerged from the participants’ narratives: 【Readiness for Community Activities】,【Ease and Difficulty of Engagement in Activities】,【Benefits to Oneself from Activity Participation】,【Learning from Interpersonal Communication Opportunities】,【Necessity of Skills to Operate and Promote Activities】, and 【Expansion of a Nursing Perspective】.Discussion:Readiness for community activities contributed to recognizing the benefits of engagement and a proactive learning attitude, creating a positive cycle. While the initial motivations for participation were ‘understanding’ and ‘career’, increased opportunities for interpersonal communication during the activities led to enhanced ‘protective’ and emotional well-being. Through active participation, participants shifted from merely fulfilling assigned roles to actively learning, recognizing the necessity of skills to operate and promote activities, and expanding their nursing perspectives.</p>