Training of community health workers: experience of teaching and practice with nursing students

This paper aims to report an experience carried out by nursing students from the Undergraduate School of Health Sciences, Federal District, during their first year of study. The objective was to implement a training for 22 community health workers, in order to clarify them about their role in community work and to elevate their self esteem. A methodology of problematization and various educational techniques were used. The themes were: duties and rights, responsibilities, communication, ethics, team work, children's health, care for the elderly and domestic violence. The result was considered positive for both sides: the community workers acquired new knowledge/capabilities and better feeling of self worth and the students were able to integrate theory and practice and become active participants in the learning process.