Introduction.

The practice in Health Centers constitutes a fundamental axis in the professional training of nurses, being necessary to promote favorable learning instances. The objective of the study was to explore the perception of fifth-year nursing students at Santo Tomás University, Chile, in relation to their learning experience during their undergraduate training, using the Comprehensive Family and Community Health Model.

Material and method.

Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, interpretive research, through intrinsic study of cases. Sample, non-probabilistic, intentional by criteria and convenience (16 students). A focus group was used; analysis from data reduction. Validity was ensured with rigorous criteria, triangulated by researchers. It was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Institution; it was considered the signing of the informed consent.

Results.

353 units of meaning were identified, originating four thematic nuclei: ‘Conceptualization of the Model in undergraduate'; ‘Student contributions in the teaching-learning process to internalize it'; ‘Components associated with factors that facilitate and hinder its applicability' and ‘Qualities acquired by the practice of the Model'. Finally, two qualitative domains emerge: ‘Contributions of the students in the training process' and ‘Benefits of the Model in the training process for the acquisition of generic competences'.

Conclusions.

Students know the meaning of the Comprehensive Family and Community Health Model, mostly identify the curricular structure as an impeding factor, recognize that they learn through student-centered methodologies and describe the generic competencies declared in the Graduate Profile.

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