Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of service-learning in connection with the major of nursing. Method: This is qualitative research based on the application of a focus-group research method and Glaser’s grounded theory. The nine participants of the research participated in the process of developing a service-learning program to promote health in the elderly. They operated the program by acting as instructors for more than 12 months. Results: The basic socio-psychological problems hared by the participants of the research is ‘burden’. The basic social process required to solve the problem is ‘self-realization’ which has been successively shown in the order of the stage of experiencing a surge of will, the stage of recognizing the occurrence of internal and external changes, the stage of being confident, and the stage of obtaining self-respect. Throughout the process, the participants solved ‘burden’ in a positive way through reflections and reciprocity, developing and strengthening their capabilities. Conclusion: Based on the results, it is necessary to consider the development of a service-learning program in connection with the nursing major in order to provide the students studying nursing with the opportunity to have various learning experiences.