The Experience of Scientific Initiation in the Training of Nursing Students

Soares FMM, Mesquita KKB, Nunes RDS, Simao ALS and Magalhaes DS

Published on: 2020-09-07

Abstract

Nursing has appropriated research as a way to improve and improve its performance, supported by the incessant search for new knowledge. Allied to the activity of Scientific Initiation, it has been increasing the training and professional qualification with a wide competence in care, being fundamental the dedication to responsibility with research since it provides a development of techniques and skills. This study aimed to report the experience of nursing students in scientific initiation. It is noted that the insertion of academics in scientific initiation is of great importance in the formation of critical opinion, as it instigates the search and production of new knowledge. This experience encourages the student to become a researcher in his own field.

Keywords

Nursing; Science; Scientific research

Introduction

In recent years, nursing research has shown a major contribution to the process of training nursing students. In a more tangible way, the Scientific Initiation Program has contributed to the improvement of students' performance in the face of cognitive, critical development and provides the student with theoretical and methodological support and more directly, it is a protagonist of the training process [1]. Scientific initiation is an extremely important tool for academics who view entering the scope of research that is fundamental for undergraduate studies, focuses on training based on scientific evidence and improving professional qualification. In this context, the research provides a wide diversity of knowledge to the student in addition to improving his acting career [1]. Scientific initiation in Brazil began in 1988 when the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), a federal body created in 1951, instituted the Institutional Program for Scientific Initiation Scholarships (PIBIC). CNPq is a Foundation linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT), created in 1951, which among the agencies and research institutes maintained by the Brazilian government, stands out for promoting Science, Technology and Innovation in the formation and absorption of knowledge for the graduates [2]. Nursing, as a science and profession, has appropriated research as a way to improve its performance, supported by the incessant search for new knowledge. Allied to the Scientific Initiation (CI) activity, a modality of training and incentive to research in graduation has been increasing the training and professional practice of nurses for the competence of care, given its relevance and contributions already made in several areas [3]. The student who seeks to be part of the scientific initiation program is able to develop scientific thoughts, with an emphasis on critical sense, with a focus on training with professional preparation. In this sense, research provides scientific learning, which is essential for qualification, as nursing requires knowledge based on science in order to provide effective and efficient assistance.

Undergraduates have the opportunity to get closer to the scientific universe through Scientific Initiation scholarships, in addition to this experience assisting in choosing the professional's field of action after completing the course. The practice of scientific projects in the academic environment is necessary for the growth of society as a whole. Santos and Silva [4], state that the sooner "undergraduate" students begin to produce scientifically, consequently they can become researchers, with the objective of solving the problems that society faces in their daily lives. Scientific initiation allows the academic to develop a broader degree in the sense that it favors a deepening in several areas, being extremely important in the higher education environment. Research is an essential instrument in conducting nursing care, since it provides critical training for the academic. In a general perspective, on the impact of scientific initiation on the career, it is considered that scientific initiation enables a greater understanding of the labor market by allowing interaction between the scientific world and the practical activities of the profession [5]. Thus, it prepares the undergraduate student more effectively, developing differentiated skills, especially when compared to those students who did not participate in this experience [4]. Therefore, the participation of academics in scientific projects expands their professional competence, as it only surpasses the search for a university degree, being trained a professional with a broader horizon and with constant learning capacity. We then recognize the importance of scientific practice during graduation. Given the aspects presented here, the objective of the study is to report the experience of scientific initiation by undergraduate nursing students.

Methodology

This is an experience report type study developed in the context of scientific initiation to describe the experience of undergraduate nursing students in the research field of the Study Group on Advanced Practices and Technologies in Nursing-GEPATE, of the UNINTA Faculty of Itapipoca in year 2020. Experience reports are seen as methodologies for systematic observation of reality, without the objective of testing hypotheses, but establishing relationships between the findings of this reality and relevant theoretical bases [6]. GEPATE has a weekly meeting, lasting two hours and has an advisor. Each meeting is discussed articles on the theme and conferences on methodological aspects that contribute to the prism of scientific training of academics. Students experience the importance of research in the sense of scientific initiation, develop a more critical knowledge. In this way, academics are prepared to continue their academic and, most of all, professional life, with development in essential aspects for technical and scientific training.

Experience Report

The project is made up of nine students and a professor-researcher linked to Faculdade UNINTA Itapipoca, where research was institutionalized. Nursing students were integrated into the project to the extent that vacancies were available and selection notices were opened in the Institutional Scientific Initiation Scholarship Program. At the meetings, held weekly, articles and documents relevant to the study were discussed in the line of research on adult health, indexed in the electronic databases to obtain current and relevant literature on the theme of central research, carried out in the databases as Latin American Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Nursing Database (BDENF). In the scientific field, it is understood that the development of research is an important strategy for strengthening ‘Nursing’ as a science and profession, as it is important and necessary to exercise a professional practice sustained by a continuous search for new knowledge. And the competence to care, researching, educating and managing, has been developed in the training and professional practice of nurses [7].

As a result of this experience, participation in national and international scientific events arose and articles were produced that were submitted and published and received awards. In this context, papers and journals are of paramount importance and relevance for the training of academics and the development of the topics studied. In this perspective, when one chooses to dedicate part of the graduation time to the study of methodological designs and articles and research, one has the opportunity to recognize and improve the means that will guide the academic and professional practice that we choose. As well as, it is noted, that there is an expansion of our cultural range, through the aggregation of knowledge that will serve as a base and support for professional training. It is also worth emphasizing the importance of encouraging scientific production on the part of teachers to students in the initial semesters, as often, first semester students are not aware of the importance of scientific production in the curricular scope. It is through professors who show love and appreciation for research, that nursing students can become interested in this very valuable medium for our profession. Support and encouragement for research in the initial semesters represent a major contribution to the entire training process in undergraduate courses. Each apprenticeship is important to disseminate the knowledge acquired and applied in the disciplines until the end of the graduation. In addition, it also contributes to the student's migration to postgraduate studies in special master's and doctorate.

Final Considerations

The insertion of academics in scientific initiation during graduation is of great importance in the formation of critical opinion, since it instigates, from an early age, the search for knowledge and, even more, the production of new knowledge, contributing in a concrete way to society. This experience encourages the student to become a researcher in his own field of activity, both at the university and in assistance. In this sense, the experience lived in the presentation of works in events, as well as the construction of a theoretical and methodological framework, reflects in the expressive construction of scientific, critical and reflective thinking. In addition to giving more visibility to ‘Nursing’, the dissemination of knowledge provides the student with a better resourcefulness and greater development of self-confidence in the face of research and in improving resourcefulness when presenting at events. It was also noted the immense contribution of the studies carried out through the project to the professional training of students, providing important knowledge essential to the practice of ‘Nursing’ and the development of the questioning and resolutive spirit essential to care practice, as well as to academic and teacher.