Objective:

to evaluate changes produced by a critical learning experience in the nursing image of a group of students.

Methods:

mixed design; 92 first-year participants. Information collection: Initial questionnaire, (pre-post) scale and reflective journal (post-activity). Change of control desire: Student t for paired data. Change in the perception of autonomy and emotions: Content analysis.

Results:

Scale of desire for control (pre): 55.65 (over 75). Global pre-post scores with no significant differences. Yes for following dimensions: Autonomy (10,10-12,20 p <0,001); Power and Influence (9.53-12.58 p <0.001). Perception of autonomy mostly poor. Participation in the activity seemed to arouse emancipatory desires. Process accompanied by numerous emotions.

Conclusions:

The learning experience showed significant changes in desires for autonomy and power. Constructivism in nursing studies could be an useful tool to promote "emancipating and autonomizing ways of seeing nursing".