Implementation and Evaluation of Service-Learning in Nursing Education: An International Comparative Analysis with Chinese Mainland as a Case

Abstract

: Service-learning is an experiential teaching approach that integrates curricular learning with community service to foster students ' professional competences and social awareness. However, its implementation and outcomes in nursing education vary substantially across countries. Using the Chinese mainland as a case, this study presents a literature-based comparative analysis of service-learning in nursing education between Chinese mainland and international contexts, with a focus on curriculum design, implementation and outcome assessment. The findings reveal that service-learning in nursing education remains at an exploratory stage worldwide, including in the Chinese mainland; it is applied mainly in community and geriatric nursing courses and is characterized by underdeveloped implementation mechanisms and non-standardized evaluation systems.Further efforts are needed to optimize practical frameworks, establish multidimensional evaluation systems, strengthen long-term effect assessment, and promote the standardized, sustainable development of service-learning in nursing education.