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.
Keywords: Extracurricular activity; Gatekeeper; Nursing education; Qualitative research; Suicide prevention; Volunteering.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.