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.