Contribution of the university extension in the formation of nursing graduands

Abstract

Introduction: The concept of University Extension (Ext Univ) articulates teaching and research in order to intervene in social reality. Objectives: to characterize Ext Univ programs and projects in according to its nature, objectives, work plan and educational intentionality in the training of nurses; to identify activities performed by students in Ext Univ activities; to identify skills and abilities developed in the activities of Ext Univ and to compare these results with a group of non-extension graduating students and graduates. Method: descriptive, transversal, with triangulation of methods, divided into two phases. In Phase 1 a Documentary Analysis of the documents related to the programs (PGS) and projects (PJS) registered in the Pró-Reitoria de Extensão (PROEX), coordinated by professors of the Escola Paulista de Enfermagem (EPE) of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). In Phase 2, a questionnaire was constructed and validated through the Delphi Technique by the PGS and PJS coordinators who accepted to participate in the research. Afterwards, the questionnaire was applied to undergraduate students graduating in the year 2013, from EPE-UNIFESP. The qualitative analysis was based on the technique of content analysis and on the theoretical-normative framework related to programs (PGS) and social projects (PJS) registered on Pró-Reitoria de Extensão (PROEX), coordinated by professor from EPE; the quantitative analysis was based on the (descriptive) appreciation of the quantifiable data obtained and on the analytical statistics analysis of the information collected through the validated questionnaire. Results: Phase 1 identified that the 13 PGS and PJS belonged predominantly to the health area, its general objectives related to the articulation of actions in the areas of Health Promotion and Education and with actions of Teaching, Research and Extension. Its population groups were composed of SUS users, schoolchildren, community members, participants from other institutions and socially vulnerable groups. Among its members were professors, undergraduates, UNIFESP post-graduates and external participants. The frequency and the time load of PGS and PJS were variable and with different characteristics. In Phase 2 the comparison between the extensionist and non-extensionist responses was favorable to Ext Univ regarding the improvement of communication techniques (p 0.006), insertion capacity in environments favorable to the exchange of practical and theoretical knowledge between the students, the population and involved professionals, knowledge exchange (p0.004), development of a critical and reflective sense, an expanded view of social problems, proactive posture (p0,04), search for new knowledge and contact with specific areas. Conclusion: Extensionists and non-extensionists recognize the contribution of Ext Univ activities in the construction of skills and competences during the undergraduate course, with emphasis on communication skills, proactive posture, development of a critical and reflexive sense regarding the country’s health problems and the ability to learn how to learn.