Impacts of university extension on nursing training and social transformation: perceptions of extension teachers and students

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To analyze the perceptions of extension teachers and students of the nursing course at the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS) on the impacts of university extension in the context of training and social transformation. Methodology: A descriptive and exploratory research with a qualitative approach was carried out. The participants were professors and academic extensionists of the nursing course at UEMS. The sample was intentional, using information saturation, with a total of 15 participants. Data were obtained through a semi-structured questionnaire, containing discursive questions that addressed perceptions about extensionist practices in the community, the potential of extension in the context of formation and social transformation. The discursive questions were transcribed in full and then analyzed according to the methodological framework of content analysis by Bardin (2016). Results and Discussion: The answers revealed that university extension represents a space to develop a training process based on the needs of the community. It was noted that the participants of this research valued the establishment of a bond with the community, which must take place from a dialogue that can provide a critical-reflective sense to the target audience of extension actions. Final Considerations: The present study can show that the participants understand that the starting point for the construction of extension projects starts from looking at the needs of the community and also towards a citizen formation. In other words, the answers to the questionnaire indicated that the professors and students of the nursing course at UEMS understand that the themes and objectives of the extension projects must be found in the aspirations of the community.