Nursing students' extracurricular activity experiences of suicide prevention volunteering: A qualitative study.

Abstract Background Extracurricular activities of college students have been perceived as a means of developing competencies related to professional success. Objectives This study aimed to explore the extracurricular activity experience of nursing students who participated in suicide prevention volunteering. Design Qualitative research. Setting This study was conducted at an undergraduate university in Gyeongsan-do, Korea. Participants Participants in the study were 36 nursing college students who participated in suicide prevention volunteer activities for more than 4 months. Methods Data were collected by focus group interviewers, which were analyzed using content analysis. Results The experiences of participants in the study were identified by four sub-themes ‘Developing sensitivity to suicide issues’, ‘Improving confidence in suicide prevention’, ‘Getting interested in mental health nursing’, and ‘Learning basic skills of practical nursing’ that derived the theme ‘Prepared for a competent nurse in mental health nursing’. Conclusion A variety of activities and programs for extra-curriculum will serve as a foundation for nursing students to improve their basic competencies and qualities to become more competent in their future careers.