Repercussions of COVID-19 and possibilities for promoting health: thinking with nursing students

Abstract

Objective: to understand the repercussions of COVID-19 and possibilities for health promotion in combating the pandemic, as perceived by undergraduate nursing students. Method: this qualitative, participatory-action study rested on Paulo Freire’s Research Itinerary, which comprises three dialectical phases: Thematic Investigation; Encoding and Decoding; Critical Unveiling. After approval by the Research Ethics Committee, two Virtual Culture Circles were held in October 2020 with the participation of 23 nursing students at a public university in southern Brazil, but living in different places. Results: two themes were discussed: repercussions of COVID-19 and possibilities for health promotion. The impacts of the pandemic were clearly reflected in the students’ biopsychosocial and spiritual well-being. Conclusions: it is urgent to promote students’ health with a view to uncovering feelings and announcing strategies for overcoming difficulties, with an emphasis on awakening the capacity for coping and resilience.