Resumo
Research about students’ understanding of depression and nursing care to depressed patients. Method: sample consisted of 14 students in 3rd year of undergraduate studies in nursing (six from the Bachelor’s Program and eight from the Teaching Diploma Program), six of whom with symptoms suggesting depression. Delbecq’s nominal group technique was used as qualitative and quantitative methodological framework. The basic question researched was “How do undergraduate nursing students can help in delivering care to someone with depression?”. The project was approved by the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing Ethics Committee. Descriptive data
analysis was carried out. Results: among students with symptoms suggesting depression, higher concern regarding the insertion of family in care and education of family members was observed. Among students without symptoms of depression, a more theoretical view of nursing care planning was observed, focusing competences of individual and collective protection. It was concluded that students perceive and understand the essential characteristics of this care.
