This qualitative study aimed to identify how undergraduate students perceive the comprehensive care of children in their learning process in a course of Bachelor of Nursing in São Paulo. We interviewed 89 students in June and December 2009. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis and four themes were identified. Comprehensive care is seen as the entire care, involving child, family, living conditions, environment. The educational institution has proposed early integration of the student in the reality of nursing work; this demystifies the ideal care, and the student faces reality. The professor instigate the student to reflect on their practice, so that makes sense to the student and the knowledge and practice related to comprehensive care to child also be apprehended.
Comprehensive health care; Child; Education; Nursing