Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Nursing – Study and teaching (Continuing education) – Swaziland'

Continuing education (CE) is that arm of the nursing educational system charged with the responsibility to disseminate nursing theory to those nurses whose formal education did not include nursing theory. This study examined the extent to which nursing theory was disseminated through CE programs in nursing. Subjects were continuing education providers (CEPs) employed by schools and hospitals who offered state or nationally approved CE programs during the 1987 calendar year. The results of the study were based on responses from 187 CEPs of which 91 respondents (49%) were from schools and 96 respondents (51%) were from hospitals. Data for the descriptive survey were collected by an investigator developed self-administered questionnaire. The major findings from data analyses follow. CEPs gained knowledge about nursing theory at all levels of formal education with the majority having nursing theory in the masters program. The usual pattern was to have multiple theories as part of several courses in one formal education program. The respondents were most knowledgeable about nursing theories enunciated by Orem, Roy, Peplau, and Rogers. The respondents perceived that nursing theory was essential for selected nursing functions, nursing practices, and for establishing nursing as a profession. Of all CE programs offered during the 1987 calendar year, the total number of programs without nursing theory slightly exceeded the number of programs that included nursing theory. In those programs, nursing theory was presented most frequently as part of a program for a particular nursing intervention, or as a major objective of a clinical course. Level of knowledge was associated with the number of formal education programs, education, and type of employing agency. Beliefs ascribed to nursing practice were related to formal education and were significantly different when categorized by the number of theory courses and by the number of theories presented. Characteristics of a theory that influenced a decision regarding nursing theory were significantly different when classified by the number of formal education programs in which one had nursing theory. Significant differences existed in the CEPs' level and sources of knowledge, beliefs, education, and years as a registered professional nurse when categorized according to program type. Recommendations in the following areas were made for further research and the diffusion of nursing theory: (a) social systems and adoption, (b) program outcomes, (c) expectations for continuing education providers, (d) reevaluation of nursing theory courses, (e) teaching strategies, (f) instrument validation, and (g) responsibilities of the American Nurses’ Association and the National League for Nursing.
Ed. D.

This study investigated Texas nurses' attitudes toward mandatory continuing education, and their perceptions of skill improvement, knowledge enrichment and improvement of health care to the public as a result of participation in twenty contact hours of continuing education programs as required by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas. This sample of Texas nurses felt that the goals set forth by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas had been met by participation in mandatory continuing education. However, given the small return rate, the attitudes of these nurses may not represent the attitudes of the majority of Texas nurses.

This study aims to increase the level of knowledge about the gerontological knowledge of a sample of registered nurses by creating a portable and concise continuing education seminar that is based upon the fundamental components of the normal aging process. The impact on the learning outcomes of an accredited continuing education seminar that was developed for this study was analyzed. The continuing education seminar focused on some of the major areas of social gerontology pertinent to nursing. Although other variables (age, gender, educational level, and previous gerontological training) were analyzed, none were found to have significant effect on the level of knowledge.

Continuing education programs are successful only to the extent that the recommended practice or behavior is implemented. Previous research has demonstrated that some programs result in behavior change and others fail to do so. A conceptual framework developed by Cervero links behavior change to continuing professional education. This descriptive correlational study examined factors related to implementation of knowledge gained from a continuing professional educational offering into practice among registered nurses. One questionnaire on the motivation of the individual professional was given prior to the continuing professional educational offering and three other questionnaires eliciting the participants perception of the social system, nature of the change and the continuing educational offering was given upon completion of the class. Two months following the offering a self-report evaluation, a Likert scale instrument and an open-ended questionnaire, was completed by the participants to measure the change in behavior after the learning experience. Demographic data of the participants was also correlated with nursing behavior. The rights of the participants were protected at all times. Participants were asked to participate on a strictly voluntary basis. Findings of the study indicated that the variables of the individual professional, the continuing educational offering, the nature of the change and social system did not statistically correlate with the outcome variable of behavior change. However, the responses to the open ended questionnaire contradicted the statistical findings. Participants articulated numerous ways in which their nursing practice had changed as a result of their continuing education experience. Conclusions of the study were that there is no statistically significant relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable of behavior change, but that qualitative data indicated that change in nursing practice did occur following the continuing professional education offering. Implications from the study indicate that the process of continuing professional education is complex with multiple variables. There is a need for further research to delineate the influence of these variables on behavior change in nursing practice. Then, those planning educational offerings could work effectively with their clientele to more dramatically improve health care and client outcomes.
School of Nursing

This project addressed the continuing education needs of nursing staff and other health care professionals for delivering competent and compassionate palliative or end of life care. The scope of the project included, writing a grant application, training and certification by the end of life Nursing Education Consortium and implementing an education program for staff at the Loma Linda Veterans Affairs medical center.

This study was designed to determine attitudes of administrators, faculty, and students toward educational mobility for registered nurses. A second purpose was to determine if curriculum designs acknowledge previous learning for advanced placement in RN/BSN programs; and to determine if perceived needs of learners were met.Following the review of selected literature a questionnaire was designed to collect data from 45 RN/BSN programs accredited by the National League for Nursing in Indiana and the four contiguous states. A total of 214 responses from administrators, faculty, and students were obtained. Factor analysis of the instrument determined the five factors of curriculum, program need, learning, previous experience and function/role. The mean, standard deviation, and oneway analysis of variance was determined for the total and the five sub-scores individual and by group from the five participating states. Six null hypotheses were tested using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results based on the ANOVA, mean, and standard deviations of total group score indicated no significant difference in attitudes of administrators, faculty, and students involved in RN/BSN programs toward acknowledgment of previous learning. Total group sub-scores for the five factors were found to be different for curriculum and function/role.The ANOVA of each state by sub-scores indicated differences for Indiana as function/role, Illinois Michigan as curriculum, and Ohio as previous experience/practice.A variety of mobility programs have emerged over the past fifteen years, however administrators, faculty, and students differ in the perception of acknowledgment of previous learning, curriculum designs, and function/role for RN/BSN education.Major conclusions were: 1) There is agreement among administrators, faculty, and students for program need but the degree of flexibility in design does not meet learner need and the recognition of previous learning; 2) students do not agree with administrators and faculty in the perception of function/role; and 3) administrators and faculty do not agree with students in perceptions of curricular needs.

Nurse educators are faced with the issues of cost containment and documenting the results of continuing professional education (CPE). The results of successful CPE are behavior changes observed in the nursing staff upon returning to the work environment. Continuing professional education requires valid evaluation of instruments to determine its effectiveness, quality, and documentation of behavior changes. The purpose of this study was to establish the validity of four instruments measuring variables of behavior change in nurses after attendance at a CPE program. Cervero's (1985) evaluation model applied to CPE and behavior change was used to guide the study.Data was collected from three different convenience samples and merged for a total of 114 subjects. The four instruments that participants were asked to complete at the CPE programs were: (a) "New Ideas and You" (Brigham et al., 1995); (b) "Social System of the Organization"analysis. "New Ideas and You" (Brigham et al., 1995) (Ryan et al, 1995); (c) "CPE Program and Change" (Ryan et al., 1995); and (d) "The Continuing Professional Education Offering" (Elkins et al., 1995).Findings in this study were revealed through factor outcome to improve the quality of patient care. This end revealed two factors. "Social System of the Organization" (Ryan et al., 1995) resulted in a three factor solution. "CPE Program and Change" (Ryan et al., 1995) resulted in a three factor solution and "Continuing Professional Education Offering" (Elkins et al., 1995) resulted in a three factor solution.Conclusions from this study was that the four instruments have some degree of validity and reliability. The highest obtained factor scores confirmed the concepts identified as subscales in the four instruments.Nurse educators need a valid and reliable method of evaluating CPE to assess the effectiveness and extent of behavior changes in nurses after attendance at workshops, seminars, and other CPE programs. These behavior changes are a result of an increased knowledge base with an ultimateresult has a positive impact on the nursing profession, nursing education, and health care.
School of Nursing

This study was designed to describe the attitudes of staff nurses toward patients who have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and to determine if the 1989 Washington State licensing requirement for seven hours of AIDS education was effective in changing the attitudes of these nurses toward AIDS patients. Health care providers' attitudes toward patients with AIDS have been documented as differing from their attitudes toward patients with other debilitating conditions (cancer, diabetes, heart disease) in that they place more blame for getting the disease on those with AIDS, they tend to have some degree of homophobia, and they are sometimes overly cautions in using protective procedures around these patients. The consequence of these attitudes can be seen in the nursing care received by some of these patients: insensitive comments and avoidance behavior by staff.

Dr. Ronald Cervero (1985) identified learner motivation, the nature of the change, the social system of the organizational climate, and the educational program as factors affecting the application of learning to professional practice. A repeated measures research design was used to measure stability over time of instruments developed to measure variables in Cervero's model. Participants, N=27) graduate students, completed the instruments, "New Ideas and You" which measures learner's motivation to change, "The Nature of Change" which measures the learner's perception of the proposed change, and "Organizational Climate of the Social System" which measures the learner's perception of the social system's affect on the implementation of change. Staff nurses (N=27) completed the instrument "Continuing Education Offering Evaluation" which measures the learner's perception of the educational offering. Participants then completed the instruments again in three weeks. Procedures for the protection of human subjects were followed. The test-retest reliability coefficients were: "New Ideas and You," r=.72 L)-.01; "The Nature of Change," r.84 p=.01; "Organizational Climate of the Social System," r.83 p=.01; "Continuing Education Offering Evaluation," r.91 p=.01. The significance of this study was the initial establishment of stability over time of instruments developed to measure specific factors that affect the application of newly gained knowledge to nursing practice. Establishing reliability coefficients of instruments to measure the variables in Cervero's model is a step forward in the investigation of the larger question, "Does continuing education change practice?"
School of Nursing

Acute and chronic pain conditions have a significant impact on the individual who is experiencing pain and resolution of pain continues to present a challenge to nurses and other health care professionals. It is widely accepted that pain education for nurses is necessary if nurses are to deliver effective, evidenced based pain care. Although it has been shown that participation in pain education improves nurses’ pain knowledge, very little is known about the way in which nurses use their improved pain knowledge in their practice or about the conditions that promote application of that pain knowledge. The aims of this study are (a) to explore the transfer of pain knowledge from a continuing education nursing course into practice, and (b) to investigate the impact that the nurses’ participation in action research has on their ability to improve aspects of their pain practice. Participants are 14 registered nurses who successfully completed two accredited pain course units as part of their BSc / BN degree in Nursing. The nurses formed two groups of inquiry, who used both their participation in the pain course and in action research to investigate and change aspects of pain assessment and management practices within their clinical areas. The inquiry groups were located in two different Health Board locations in Scotland. Following involvement in a pain course, the strategies used by the participating nurses to enhance their pain assessment and management practices are examined. Qualitative data was obtained through individual and group interviews, and analysis of significant incidents. An action research approach contributes to an understanding of conditions that promote application of pain knowledge into practice following participation in the course, and focuses on the possibilities for action and improvement of pain care. The findings from this study demonstrate how nurses develop a more patient-centred approach to pain care and become more accountable for their pain practice. The research also identifies a range of strategies used by nurses to improve collaborative working practices with their colleagues that help to reduce some of the obstacles to delivery of effective pain care. From the outcomes of the inquiry, it is evident that these nurses’ participation in action research has increased the possibilities of their involvement in pain practice interventions. Conditions are created through pain course participation and involvement in action research, which supports nurses’ transfer of pain knowledge into practice Additionally, findings demonstrate the potential action research has for identifying problems with pain care and its potential for helping to develop relevant and workable solutions for improving aspects of care. The findings from this study are significant because they inform teaching and learning approaches which can be used with pain education that helps to prepare nurses to deliver more effective pain care within their health care settings.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Saudi Arabian Government has implemented a nation-wide policy to prepare its people for the workforce and has directed that the Saudi Council for Health Specialties (SCHS) be established. Under the SCHS umbrella the Saudi Nursing Board (SNB) has been formed for the purpose of regulating the nursing profession. While Saudi Arabia has for many years been dependent on the international community for nurses, it is now establishing its own nursing workforce. One challenge for the SCHS and the SNB is to ensure that practice standards are developed, since ultimately nursing practice affects the quality of the patient services and patient health outcomes. The Saudi nursing profession has a responsibility to develop its social mandate and provide a full range of services to the Saudi public. Systems and education programmes are required for all aspects of the regulatory process, including continuing professional development. Effective regulation systems are not based on a “one size fits all” approach. Furthermore, nurses need to insist on high quality education to develop both basic and ongoing competence and should be able to depend on the profession for social status and credibility. The purpose of this research was to develop, implement, validate and evaluate a continuing professional development learning programme for nurses working in Saudi Arabia. The learning programme was built from a vision of nurses (regardless of country) engaging in lifelong learning for the purpose of ensuring quality patient care and population health. The development of a continuing professional development learning programme is an initial step in fulfilling the need for educational structures to support standards of practice. The overall outcome of the research was functional by nature in that the knowledge of continuing professional development in nursing was generated and applied to nursing practice in Saudi Arabia. In view of the nature of the question, a mixed methodology was selected. Although the qualitative aspect was dominant, both the qualitative and quantitative aspects were used simultaneously. The design included exploratory and descriptive aspects. Furthermore, the researcher employed qualitative methods to develop, implement and evaluate the provisional learning programme and quantitative methods to validate the provisional programme, resulting in a partial explanation of the research phenomenon. The primary theoretical drive was inductive, as the purpose was to discover rather than to test the learning programme contents. Botes’ Research Model and King’s Theory of Goal Attainment were utilised. They complemented each other, as they both support a comprehensive, dynamic scientific approach to learning (health) outcomes influenced by the quality of nursing practice and practice environment. The research, which was outcomes–based, was carried out in the context of quality patient care (population health) and nursing practice situated within the Saudi Arabian setting, where the nursing regulatory system is emerging. As the questionnaire mean ( X ) results revealed scores of 3.0 to 3.9, data saturation was achieved during the first round of the Delphi technique. Fourteen experts from six different countries were asked to validate the provisional learning programme, which was duly done. The programme was implemented in a tertiary research hospital in Saudi Arabia. Formative and summative evaluations were also conducted. The results of the implementation and evaluation affirmed the effectiveness of the learning programme. Boyer’s Model for Scholarship was used to triangulate the research findings. These results formed the basis for the recommendations and final summary. The five broad recommendations that emerged from the research were that nurses should take on self-regulatory and leadership responsibilities; that they should engage in continuing professional development collaboration; that the nursing profession’s self-regulation responsibilities be acknowledged; that a healthy (quality) workplace environment be ensured; and that further research be done in this field.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die regering van Saoedi-Arabië het ʼn landwye beleid geïmplementeer om die mense van die land vir die arbeidsmag voor te berei en het opdrag gegee vir die stigting van die Saudi Council for Health Specialties (SCHS,) ʼn raad wat spesifiek met gesondheidsdienste gemoeid is. Die Saoedi Raad vir Verpleging (Saudi Nursing Board oftewel SNB) is tot stand gebring met die doel om die verpleegdiens in die land te reguleer. Nadat Saoedi-Arabië vir baie jare van die internasionale gemeenskap vir verpleegkundiges afhanklik was, word ʼn eie verpleegkorps nou in die land gevestig. Een van die uitdagings waarmee die SCHS en die SNB te kampe het, is die noodsaaklikheid om te verseker dat standaarde vir die praktyk ontwikkel word, aangesien die verpleegpraktyk inderdaad die gehalte van pasiënte-diens en gesondheidsuitkomste beïnvloed. Die verpleegberoep in Saoedi-Arabië is daarvoor verantwoordelik om sy maatskaplike mandaat te ontwikkel en ʼn volledige reeks dienste aan die mense van die land beskikbaar te stel. Stelsels en opvoedkundige programme is nodig vir alle aspekte van die reguleringsproses. Dit sluit voortgesette professionele ontwikkeling in. Vir ʼn reguleringstelsel om werklik doeltreffend te wees moet dit op spesifieke behoeftes gerig wees en kan een stelsel nie aan al die vereistes van diverse instellings voldoen nie. Dit is noodsaaklik dat verpleegkundiges op onderrig van ʼn hoë gehalte aandring ten einde basiese en voortgaande bevoegdheid te ontwikkel. Daarbenewens behoort hulle op die beroep te kan steun vir sosiale status en geloofwaardigheid. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om ʼn voortgesette leerprogram vir die professionele ontwikkeling van verpleegkundiges wat in Saoedi-Arabië werk, te ontwikkel, te implementeer, te valideer en te evalueer. Die leerprogram het onstaan uit ʼn visie van verpleegsters (ongeag hulle land van oorsprong) wat hulle met lewenslange leer besig hou met die doel om diens van ʼn hoë gehalte aan pasiënte asook bevolkingsgesondheid te verseker. Met die ontwikkeling van ʼn leerprogram vir voortgesette professionele ontwikkeling is die eerste stap gedoen om in die behoefte aan opvoedkundige strukture ter ondersteuning van praktykstandaarde te voorsien. Die algehele uitkoms van die navorsing was funksioneel van aard deurdat die kennis van voortgesette professionele ontwikkeling in verpleging deur die verpleegpraktyk in Saoedi-Arabië gegenereer en ook daarop toegepas is. Vanweë die aard van die navorsingsvraag is besluit om ʼn gemengde metodologie, dit is kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe aspekte gelyktydig te gebruik, met die kwalitatiewe aspek as die dominante metode. Sowel verkennende as beskrywende aspekte is in die ontwerp ingesluit. Daarbenewens het die navorser kwalitatiewe metodes gebruik om die voorlopige leerprogram te ontwikkel, te implementeer en te evalueer, en kwantitatiewe metodes om die voorlopige program te valideer. Die navorsingsverskynsel is deur middel van ʼn gedeeltelike verklarende metode ontleed. Die primêre teoretiese dryfkrag was induktief, aangesien dit die doel van die navorsing was om die leerprogram se inhoud te ontdek eerder as om dit te toets. Daar is van Botes se Navorsingsmodel en King se Teorie van Doelbereiking (Theory of Goal Attainment) gebruik gemaak. Hulle het mekaar aangevul aangesien albei ʼn omvangryke, dinamiese wetenskaplike benadering tot leer- (gesondheid-) uitkomste, wat deur die gehalte van verpleegpraktyk en die praktykomgewing beïnvloed word, ondersteun. Die navorsing, wat uitkomsgebaseerd was, is uitgevoer binne die konteks van pasiëntediens van gehalte (bevolkingsgesondheid) en verpleegpraktyk, gesetel in die Saoedi-Arabiese milieu, waar die reguleringstelsel vir verpleegkunde aan die ontwikkel is. Data saturasie is reeds bevestig tydens die eerste rondte van die Delphi tegniek met gemiddelde tellings van ( X ) 3,0 en 3,9. Die navorsingsontwerp is daardeur verder versterk. Veertien deskundiges van ses verskillende lande is gevra om die voorlopige leerprogram te valideer, wat hulle ook gedoen het. Die program is in ʼn tersiêre navorsingshospitaal in Saoedi-Arabië geïmplementeer. Formatiewe en summatiewe evaluering is gedoen en die resultate van die implementering en evaluering het die doeltreffendheid van die leerprogram bevestig. Boyer se Wetenskaplikheidsmodel (Model for Scholarship) is gebruik om die navorsingsbevindinge te staaf. Hierdie resultate het die grondslag gelê vir die aanbevelings en die finale opsomming. Die vyf breë aanbevelings wat uit die navorsing voortgekom het was dat verpleegkundiges selfregulerende en leierskapverantwoordelikhede aanvaar; dat hulle aan samewerkingsaksies ten opsigte van voortgesette professionele ontwikkeling deelneem; dat die verpleegberoep se verantwoordelikhede ten opsigte van selfregulering erken word; dat ʼn gesonde (gehalte-) werkomgewing verseker word; en dat verdere navorsing op hierdie gebied gedoen word.

Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Registered professional nurses are expected to maintain competence. Organisations are employing computer-assisted learning to fulfil this requirement. It was observed that staff experienced challenges such as technical difficulties, insufficient computer literacy, lack of opportunity and access to complete computer-assisted learning activities in a private healthcare organisation. These challenges may have implications for the effective learning and development of registered professional nurses. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of registered professional nurses in computer-assisted learning at a private healthcare organisation. The research question was: “What are the experiences of registered professional nurses in computer-assisted learning at a private healthcare organisation?” The following objectives were set to:  Explore the experiences of registered professional nurses in computer-assisted learning related to o Organisational support o Human interaction o Programme design o Computer literacy A qualitative approach with a descriptive, exploratory design was applied. A purposive sample of seven (n=7) participants from a population of thirty five (N=35) were recruited. A pre-test was completed. Ethical principles were adhered to. A semi structured interview guide based on the objectives of the study was developed by the researcher and validated by a panel of experts in research methodology and nursing education. Data was collected in the form of individual interviews and a demographic questionnaire by the researcher and one research assistant. Content analysis was applied to analyse the data, with six themes emerging. These were access, opportunity, applied support, programme content and design, social learning and computers. The findings demonstrated that registered professional nurses experienced inadequate access and opportunity to computer-assisted learning activities. The lack of computer literacy and human interaction affected the learning experience of some, but not all participants. Technical problems and disturbances in the learning environment were major contributors to the negative experiences in computer-assisted learning. Positive experiences included the convenience and ease of use of intranet-based computer-assisted learning activities. The conceptual framework of Knowles’ Andragogy supported the findings of the study. Recommendations were to provide intranet access at work and home, internet access at work and also formalised opportunity to complete computer-assisted learning activities. Technical problems should be minimised. Learning environments should be separate from work environments.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar word van geregistreerde professionele verpleegkundiges verwag om vaardigheid te behou en organisasies wend rekenaar-ondersteunde leer aan om die vereiste te vervul. Dit was waargeneem dat personeel uitdagings ervaar soos tegniese probleme, onvoldoende rekenaargeletterdheid en ’n tekort aan geleentheid en toegang om rekenaar-ondersteunde aktiwiteite te voltooi by ’n privaat gesondheidsorg organisasie. Hierdie uitdagings mag implikasies inhou vir effektiewe leer en ontwikkeling van geregistreerde professionele verpleegkundiges. Die doel van die studie was om die ervaringe van geregistreerde professionele verpleegkundiges in rekenaar-ondersteunde leer, by ’n privaat gesondheidsorg organisasie te ondersoek. Die navorsingsvraag was: “Wat is die ervaringe van geregistreerde profesionele verpleegkundiges in rekenaar-ondersteunde leer by ’n privaat gesondheidsorg organisasie?” Die volgende doelwitte was gestel om:  Die ervaringe van geregistreerde professionele verpleegkundiges in rekenaarondersteunde leer te ondersoek in verband met o Organisasie ondersteuning o Menslike interaksie o Program ontwerp o Rekenaargeletterdheid ’n Kwalitatiewe benadering met ’n beskrywende, ondersoekende ontwerp was toegepas. ’n Steekproefgroep van sewe (n=7) deelnemers is doelbewus geselekteer vanuit ’n populasie van vyf en dertig (N=35). ’n Voortoets is voltooi. Etiese beginsels is nagevolg. ’n Semigestruktureerde onderhoudsgids gebaseer op die doelwitte van die studie is ontwikkel deur die navorser en bekragtig deur ’n paneel deskundiges in navorsingsmetodiek en verpleegonderrig. Data was ingesamel deur middel van individuele onderhoude en ’n demografiese vraelys deur die navorser en een navorsingsassistent. Inhoudsanalise was toegepas om die data te analiseer met ses temas wat na vore gekom het. Hierdie was toegang, geleentheid, toegepaste ondersteuning, program ontwerp en inhoud, sosiale leer en rekenaars. Die bevindinge het daarop gedui dat geregistreerde professionele verpleegkundiges onvoldoende toegang en geleentheid tot rekenaar-ondersteunde leer aktiwiteite ervaar het. Die gebrek aan rekenaargeltterdheid en menslike interaksie het sommige, alhoewel nie alle deelnemers se leerervaring geaffekteer. Tegniese probleme en versteurings in die leeromgewing het hoofsaaklik bygedra tot negatiewe ervarings in rekenaar-ondersteunde leer. Positiewe ervaringe het ingesluit die gerieflikheid en bruikbaarheid van intranetgebaseerde rekenaar-ondersteunde leer aktiwiteite. Die konseptuele raamwerk van Knowles se Andragogie ondersteun die bevindinge van die studie. Aanbevelings is om internet toegang by die werk, intranet toegang tuis en by die werk te voorsien asook formele geleenthede te skep om rekenaar-ondersteunde leer te voltooi. Tegniese probleme behoort tot die minmum beperk te word. Leeromgewings behoort apart te wees van werksomgewings.

Thesis (PhD (Education))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
During the past twelve years of democracy health care services in South Africa have been influenced by political, social and economic change. As a result of the transformation of health care services and the change of political policy, the focus on primary health care increased. During the early stages of the transformation of health care services stakeholders realized that in order to provide an extensive health care service specialized training is required. Various educational institutions provided formal and informal programmes in order to meet the new challenges of the nursing profession. Although minimum requirements of the content and clinical practice have been established by the nursing council, the mode of presentation, costs, duration and type of qualification awarded to clinical nursing practitioners differed substantially. Uniformity in terms of programme content was lacking, neither were any scientifically founded attempts made to establish whether these programmes fulfilled the needs of the student in the rural community. Although a variety of training programmes exist the number of trained clinical nursing practitioners is still inadequate. In addition training is focused on the urban community. The objective of the research was to determine the opinion of the rural nurse on clinical nursing education, and to develop a training framework based on their input which would meet their needs. This research was conducted from an explanatory-descriptive paradigm. The case study was used as research design. A literature study on the development of primary health care both internationally and nationally was done. The literature study revealed the development of training programmes for clinical nurses. Chapter three of the literature study is dedicated to the theoretical aspects of the design of a student centered training framework for the adult student. A student centered training framework has created from data gathered via questionnaires completed by clinical nurses and semi-structured interviews with semi-qualified nurses. Semistructured interviews have also been conducted with the supervisors of nurses working in clinics and community health centres in the Northern Cape. The conclusion that respondents showed a positive attitude towards training in clinical nursing was encouraging. The majority of respondents indicated that they would welcome an additional qualification which will improve their knowledge and would result in better patient care. The respondents highlighted staff shortages, financial constraints and family responsibility as the main obstacles towards these qualifications. During the research it became clear that no formal training is currently available in Kimberley. This is as a result of the absence of mentors. Although the respondents have limited access to computers they indicated that they would prefer computer supported training in conjunction with physical contact sessions. The research indicated that no formal policy on the training of clinical nurses exists in the rural Northern Cape. In the absence of a training framework the research further contributed towards the development of a student centered training framework for clinical nurses in rural Northern Cape. The research succeeded in highlighting the necessity for formal policy on the training of clinical nurses in rural Northern Cape.

This project study addressed the problem of frequent turnover of nurse managers at a Northeastern community hospital. The lack of retention of nurse managers has led to attenuated support for the nursing staff who continued to hold the front line in patient care. The purpose of this qualitative bounded case study was to explore nurse managers' experiences with turnover in order to identify strategies for enhancing retention. Work empowerment and servant leadership theories served as the frameworks for the study. Research questions focused on nurse managers' perceptions of empowerment and servant leadership characteristics that were important in decisions to assume and remain in a management/leadership role. Data collection included audio-recorded interviews with seven current or past full-time nurse managers, and observation of three of the participants at a leadership meeting. Interview transcripts were open coded and thematically analyzed. Observation data were categorized according to empowerment and servant leadership characteristics. Five themes were identified that related to research questions: struggling in management transition, seeking opportunity for transformation, being committed but powerless, embarking unprepared on an unplanned journey, and having the presence to lead others by serving. The findings of this study guided development of a 12-month program for new nurse managers that integrated characteristics of servant leadership to empower leaders and others. These contributions may promote positive social change by preparing new nurse managers for their role and developing their skills to become successful nurse managers.

O Simulador de Paciente Humano (Human Patient Simulator - HPS) é um recurso científico e tecnológico de Engenharia Biomédica com soluções de hardware e software que simulam a fisiologia humana. O objetivo é avaliar um caso de uso da simulação clínica com a aplicação do HPS no procedimento de mensuração da pressão arterial (PA) com esfigmomanômetro aneróide e estetoscópio. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo comitê de ética no parecer 1.544.404/2016. A parte prática do trabalho foi realizada no Laboratório de Simulação de UTI do IFRR. A pesquisa envolveu trinta e três voluntários, estudantes do Curso Técnico em Enfermagem, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos. A metodologia proposta utilizou uma pesquisa exploratório-descritiva para extrair dados quantitativos, qualitativos e estatísticos para comparar os resultados de mensuração da PA do Grupo Experimental (GE) com o Grupo Controle (GC). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em duas partes. Na parte I, um questionário pré-teste foi aplicado inicialmente, experimento de mensuração da PA seguindo o procedimento do respectivo grupo; e o questionário pós-teste. Na parte II, os grupos foram invertidos e submetidos às mesmas etapas da parte I. Coletou-se um total de 599 PAs mensuradas pelos voluntários, sendo 528 PAs do GE e 71 PAs do GC. Com estas PAs foi realizado o teste t de Student ou teste de Wilcoxon com 95% do intervalo de confiança, a depender do teste de linearidade, para comprovar as hipóteses (nula ou alternativa) individualmente e para análise em grupo utiliza o ANOVA ou teste de Kruskal-Wallis possibilitando distinguir quais os voluntários que necessitam de mais treinamento e o respectivo nível da PA. No pós-teste, ao utilizar a escala Likert, os voluntários da pesquisa do GE concordaram em 54% que a metodologia utilizando o HPS fortalece um conhecimento para o desenvolvimento de habilidades clínicas, assim como ser capazes de distinguir sinais normais dos anormais que são propícios para a aprendizagem. Comparando estatisticamente ambos os grupos, o GC destaca que: 53% sabem medir a PA, 13% não sabem medir a PA e 35% das amostras estão inválidas, enquanto o GE apresenta 64% dos voluntários sabem medir a PA, 22% não sabem medir a PA e 14% das amostras estão inválidas. Ademais, os voluntários apresentaram eficácia quando utilizam o HPS.
The Human Patient Simulator (Human Patient Simulator - HPS) is a scientific and technological resource of Biomedical Engineering with hardware and software solutions that simulate human physiology. The objective of this study was to evaluate a case of clinical simulation using an HPS to perform blood pressure (BP) measurement using an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. The research was approved by the ethics committee in the legal opinion 1544.404 / 2016.The practical part of this work was carried out in the ICU Simulation Laboratory of the IFRR. The research involved thirty-three volunteers, who were students of the Nursing Technical Course, randomly divided into two groups. The proposed methodology made use of an exploratory-descriptive research to obtain quantitative, qualitative and statistical data to compare the results of the BP measurement of the Experimental Group (EG) with the Control Group (CG). The research was developed in two parts. In part I, a pre-test questionnaire was initially applied, an experiment of BP measurement following the respective group’s procedure; and a post-test questionnaire. In part II, the groups were inverted and submitted to the same phases of part I. A total of 599 PAs were measured by volunteers, being 528 PAs from the GE and 71 PAs from the GC. With the BP readings, either the Student's t or the Wilcoxon test was performed with a 95% confidence interval, depending on the linearity test, to test the hypotheses (null or alternative) individually, and for the group analysis it was used either the ANOVA or Kruskal's test -Wallis making it possible to distinguish which volunteers need more training and their respective AP level. In the post-test, when the Likert scale was used, there was a 54% agreement among the EG research volunteers that the methodology using the HPS strengthens the knowledge for the development of clinical skills, as well as being able to distinguish normal from abnormal signals that are conducive to learning. Statistically comparing both groups,in the CG: 53% know BP measurement, 13% do not know BP measurement and 35% of the samples are invalid, while in the EG: 64% of the volunteers know BP measurement, 22% do not know how to measure BP and 14% of the samples are invalid. In addition, the volunteers show effectiveness when using the HPS.

Text in English
In Swaziland, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are professional nurses who have undergone preparation as general nurse, midwife and FNP. These nurses play an important role in the delivery of primary health care (PHC). Family nurse practice is an evolving concept introduced in Swaziland in 1979. It is a means of exploring nursing roles and primary health care services for deployment in under-served areas and to enable nurses to serve as the primary providers of health care services in clinics, health centres and in the outpatient departments of hospitals. Changing responsibilities within the health care setting require different skills and more knowledge. The expansion and extension of the nurses' role, including the techniques of diagnosing and treating, was a priority of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOH&SW) in Swaziland's five-year development plan for 1978-1983. It was regarded as a necessary component for raising the quality and effectiveness of PHC services. Some of the major and urgent challenges that confront FNPs today are the advent of the human immune virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) scourge and the re-emergence of the tuberculosis epidemic. Both these health problems require proficient diagnosis and case management skills as well as new approaches. If FNPs are to remain relevant and to continue to provide quality services in spite of prevailing challenges, they have to engage in continuing education (CE). The main aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of the FNP role, CE needs and issues relevant to the current practice of FNPs in Swaziland. A further aim was to establish a structure or framework for a CE programme that would contribute to the strengthening of CE for FNPs and identify enabling factors and barriers in the practice and education ofFNPs. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used for data collection. A survey was conducted to collect data from 5 7 FNPs and 11 nurse managers and nurse educators. The transcript from the questionnaires was subjected to quantitative-based content analysis. A total of thirty nurse managers, nurse educators and MOH&SW nurse executives participated in the focus group interviews. The collected data was subjected to qualitativebased content analysis. The findings identified the role of the FNP as manager, clinical practitioner, educator and researcher. The analyses highlighted the CE needs of FNPs, and the question of updating and upgrading the skills of practising FNPs. The identified enabling factors and barriers, although perceived as issues that are peripheral and auxiliary to the curriculum, appeared to have a strong bearing on programme planning. The findings from this study have implications for a structured CE programme for FNPs at the University of Swaziland.
Health Studies
D. Litt et Phil. (Nursing Sciences)

Background: The gap between theory and practice in nursing has long been regarded as controversial and has been a much debated subject in literature. The disparity between theory and practice in nursing education has been attributed to, among other factors, the move of nursing education from hospital-based training to higher education. Attempts to bridge the gap have been recorded in literature, including the introduction and use of problem-solving learning approaches that are regarded as reflective; learner-centred and promote lifelong learning. With this transition, there is confusion concerning the role of the nurse educator in clinical teaching which further compounds the problem of integrating theory and practice in nursing education. Nursing education in Swaziland has also experienced the transition from the hospital-based model to higher education in the late nineties. Issues regarding the competence of nurses have emerged with complaints from the local media and the general public about nursing services declining in quality. Purpose: This study was aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of students and nurse educators regarding the integration of theory and practice in nursing education in a Higher Education Institution in Swaziland. The ways in which theory and practice integration is facilitated in this university were explored with the perceived barriers that are thought to deter the integration. Methodology: A quantitative approach was employed in this study with a total of 167 participants. Of these, 151 were students and 16 were nurse educators. Two self-administered questionnaires were developed for each group. Reliability and validity of these instruments was measured and the α-coeffient of 0.74 and 0.83 were achieved for the students' and educators' instruments respectively. Data were collected and then analysed using the SSPS package, Version 15.0. Findings: Results of this study revealed the existence of the gap between theory and practice in nursing education in Swaziland. Clinical nursing education was found to be an essential component in the training of nurses, however the role of the nurse educator in the integration of theory and practice remained contentious. It was also discovered that no clear guidelines or protocol regarding clinical supervision were available in the country, hence nurse educators conducted clinical supervision as they saw fit. Barriers to the integration of theory and practice were explored, and it was established that the lack of resources and supplies, more particularly in the practice setting stood out as the primary obstacle. It emerged from the study that problem-solving pedagogic approaches are essential in the integration of theory and practice. Furthermore, inadequate student support structures in the clinical setting also emerged as barriers coupled with poor communication and professional relations between the university and the practice settings. Recommendations: The establishment of a university hospital or a partnership with a health care institution where the value of clinical practicum for students would be enforced was one of the recommendations. Furthermore, it was suggested that the nursing department use process-based curricular approaches to teaching and learning which may enable students to be more reflective and more self-directed in their learning process. It was also suggested that the clinical skills laboratory be more self-directed, with students learning how to conduct clinical skills with minimum guidance from the facilitator.
Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

D.Cur.
Since 1994, the government has engaged in extensive transformative processes that included the reviewing and restructuring of all relevant legislation, organisations, institutions and statutory bodies. These transformative demands resulted in the development and implementation of a new constitution and ensuing transformative legislation and policies. It is for this reason that the Department of Health, in attempting to transform the health system in South Africa, developed a strategy known as the Health Sector Strategic Framework, which sets out a 10-point plan. This plan states amongst others, that health professions and professional bodies develop Continuing Professional Development (CPD) systems/programmes. Over and above this other transformative developments in the education and labour frameworks, professional conduct hearings and national and international benchmarking influenced the need for a CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa. The problem statement is that there is no formalised and regulated CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa. The following research questions are relevant: • What is the international trend with regard to CPD for nurses and midwives? • What is the national trend with regard to CPD for healthcare professionals in South Africa? • What will a CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa comprise? • How will a CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa be implemented to ensure credibility? The overall aim of this study was to develop a CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa. To accomplish this overall aim the following objectives were formulated: • To explore and describe existing knowledge frameworks on Continuing Professional Development for nurses and midwives in selected countries, internationally and for health professionals in South Africa • To describe the draft CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa • To describe a final CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa. This study was conducted within the context of the South African professional, ethical and legal framework for Continuing Professional Development for nurses and midwives in South Africa. A descriptive, exploratory and contextual design was conducted. The description of a draft CPD system was based on the theoretical framework. The draft CPD system was developed from 9 June 2000 until May 2003 and exposed to critical reflection by the stakeholders of the SANC, the profession at large and the human resource directorates in each of the nine (9) provinces in South Africa. The researcher developed the final CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa. This final CPD system was exposed to critical reflection to confirm face and content validity, followed by a refinement of the CPD system. Emerging from this research and based on the feedback of the validators/appraisers, recommendations are made with reference to practice, nursing and midwifery education and research: The implementation of a formal, coordinated and regulated CPD system for nurses and midwives in South Africa is necessary as part of a quality promotion initiative and to meet the requirements of the transformative legislation especially pertaining to the labour and education legal framework.

The purpose of this quantitative, descriptive study was to describe how registered nurses utilise teachable moments to enhance students' learning in the clinical setting. The research questions were: What are the problems faced by registered nurses when they teach students in the clinical setting? and How do registered nurses utilise teachable moments to teach students? A pilot study was conducted in the clinical setting involving the respondents who had similar characteristics than the population. The sample consisted of 45 registered nurses who provided direct patient care in the clinical setting. A self­ administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done by using descriptive statistical tests. The findings brought to light strengths and weaknesses with regard to the utilisation of teachable moments by registered nurses, and problems faced by registered nurses with regard to clinical accompaniment in general. Recommendations to improve clinical accompaniment by registered nurses through effective utilisation of teachable moments were made. Further research was recommended to explore some problematic areas that emerged from this study.
Health Studies
M.A. (Nursing Science)

It is against the background of new developments and initiates taking place in various countries to make basic nursing education systems more responsive and relevant to the ever-changing nature of society that a cross-national study of the current systems of basic nursing education of francophone African countries of WHO Afro Region was undertaken. The aim of the study was to describe and analyze the current systems of basic nursing education in Francophone African countries of WHO Afro Region with 'a view to providing guidelines for change toward a basic nursing educatian system that is in line with the recommendations of WHO (1994, 1985, 1984, 1966) and the various countries' health care delivery systems' policies. In the first phase, data was generated by means of a self-completion mailed questionnaire, administered to the members of the national regulatory bodies of nursing and nursing education from eighteen countries. The design of the above named questionnaire was based on the WHO (1994, 1985, 1984, and 1966) recommendations pertaining to basic nursing education systems. The main results of the findings of this phase showed two major trends. Firstly, more differences than similarities existed between the WHO (1994, 1985, 1984, and 1966) recommendations and the current basic nursing education systems of the countries under study. Secondly, discrepancies existed between the various countries' health care delivery systems' policies and the existing systems of basic nursing education. Finally, all the respondents expressed the views that the current basic nursing education systems are faced with educational and organizational changes and they agreed that there is a need to change the current basic nursing education systems. In the second phase, data was generated by means of three rounds Delphi questionnaires, administered to the national members of the regulatory bodies of nursing and nursing education as well as the members of national nursing associations from eighteen countries. The design of the first round Delphi questionnaire was based on the results of the first phase of this study, while the preceding round informed the design of the questionnaire of the next round. The main results of the findings showed similarities between the future orientation of the basic nursing education systems and the recommendations of the WHO as well as the global trends in the development of the basic nursing education. The stakeholders expressed the view that the national governments, the National Associations of Nurses and the Regional Office of WHO Afro Region need to play an active role in the transformation and the development of the basic nursing education systems in the Region. They suggested that the systems of educating nurses should move toward meeting the demands of the health care services and the global trends in the development of nursing and nursing education.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

Recent nursing literature has repeatedly proclaimed the need for creativity in nursing. The complexity of contemporary nursing practice as a result of the explosion of knowledge and technology, changing human values and diverse health care systems, requires an innovative and creative nurse who can adapt to change and provide holistic, individualised, context-specific patient care. Higher levels of cognitive thought, creative thinking and problem-solving skills have been stressed as desirable qualities of student nurses. It is suggested in the literature that the evolution of innovative strategies and the ways to implement them into nursing curricula be explored in order to assist and encourage students to develop these higher cognitive skills. From an analytical study of the literature which was undertaken with the aim of exploring the nature of creativity and the processes involved in creative thinking and learning, and of identifying innovative strategies particularly relevant to the teaching of nursing, it became apparent that the most significant determinants in teaching for creativity, are the learning enviromnent, the educator-student relationship, and the provision of a variety of teaching strategies, which are student-centred with a problem-solving focus. It was established that stimulation of both the left and right hemispheres of the brain is essential for the development of creative thinking skills. Based on the insights and knowledge gained in the study, a nursing education model for the fostering of creativity was developed. This model encompasses a wide variety of didactic considerations and is designed to stimulate whole brain learning. It is hoped that its use will be of value in the production of innovative and courageous nurse practitioners who will be better equipped to cope with the changes and challenges of their working environment and be able to provide context-specific nursing care.
Health Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (Nursing Science)

The intention of this study was to describe the implementation process of the NQF in nursing education at central and provincial levels in order to explore the change process. It deals with this process as follows: Implementation of NQF in nursing education.; Organizational health at central and provincial levels.; The change strategies used at these levels.; The implementation level reached. It is a qualitative study of an enthographic type to describe and document the implementation of the NQF as it occurred. The researcher who was part of the group that generated the culture of learning in nursing, directly participated in the activities and events as they occurred at this initial stage of implementation of the NQF. A discussion between the researcher and nurse educators took place on strategies used and whether they find the existing environment promoting changes. The research techniques used for gathering information were interviews and documents. With this information the researcher was able to reflect, make inferences and interpretations. The state of nursing education was described within the organizational self-renewal strategies described by Owens (1998). The description of the process of implementing the NQF was viewed against the change strategies as described by Bennis, Benne and Chin (1969), which are the empirical rational, normative re-educative and power coercive. The stage of implementation of the NQF in NE that has been achieved has been assessed using the NQF principles as a yardstick. The data collected is largely qualitative and its analysis has been qualitative. The categories of the theoretical framework which are inputs (organizational health); process (change theories); and outcomes (awareness, planning, use and refinement) of the NQF principles, have been used to analyze the data. The findings on organizational health reveal that nursing education is a healthy organization at both central and provincial levels. It has taken the opportunity presented by the NQF to address some of its organizational problems such as the Scope of Practice for nurses and midwives. There are, however, problems in making final decisions about the planned implementation of the NQF because of differences in vision about the future of nursing education. The movement of nursing education (NE) to higher education (HE) is hampering progress because the National Government is not implementing the Education Act No. 101 of 1997 which has moved NE to HE. Both the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and Natal College of Nursing (NCN) have no coherent human resources development policy. At both the central and provincial levels of NE normative re-educative strategies are ones that have been used extensively rather than power coercive strategies. Empirical rational strategies were also made use of to identify the advantages of the NQF policy and to incorporate them into the planned changes. There is full awareness and planning for the implementation of all the principles of the NQF. The principles of the NQF that are already in use and are being refined are integration of education and training, relevance, credibility and legitimacy.This is because they had already been in use in nursing education and practice before the inception of the NQF policy.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
National calls for a better-educated nursing workforce are proliferating. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) challenged the nursing profession by setting the goal of having 80% of the nation's nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level (BSN) or higher by 2020. This is an ambitious goal given that, nationally, only 50% of nurses have a BSN. In fact, only 40% of nurses in Michigan have a BSN, and in the rural North-Central Region of this state, only 29% (the lowest in the state) of the nurses have a BSN. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand and interpret the meaning of being an associate degree (AD) nurse, the meaning attaining a BSN has for rural registered nurses who currently have an AD, and the barriers they experience that inform their decisions to return to school (or not). The investigator interviewed 11 AD nurses from rural North-Central Michigan and analyzed interview transcripts to identify common experiences and shared meanings using methods identified by Diekelmann, Allen, and Tanner (1989). Two themes were explicated in this study: "Getting in and Getting out" and "What Difference Does it Make?" The findings in this study challenge many of the common assumptions about academic progression in nursing and provide educators, administrators, and legislators with insight about the strategies that may be most helpful for achieving the IOM goal in rural Michigan.

The purpose of the study was to analyse if the two year upgrading programme done at Malawi College of Health Sciences attended by Nurse Midwife Technicians (NMTs) is able to improve the competencies, knowledge, skills and attitude of the graduates when providing comprehensive nursing and midwifery care. The main objectives of this study were • to determine the effectiveness of the Upgrading Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery programme in preparing the competencies of State Registered Nurse Midwifes (SRNMs) • to make recommendations on the training of Upgrading Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery programme The researcher used a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive design. A questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions was used to collect data from SRNMs who completed the upgrading programme. The findings indicated that the upgrading programme has a significant impact to improve the competencies of the NMTs to work as SRNMs.
Health Studies
M.A. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions/views of student nurses, nurse educators and unit supervisors on accompaniment of student nurses in clinical settings of the Northern Province of the RSA A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey was used in this study to describe the perceptions/views of student nurses, nurse educators and unit supervisors on apcompaniment of student nurses in clinical settings. Data was collected during February and March 200 I when student nurses, nurse educators and unit supervisors in the Northern Province completed questionnaires. The study revealed positive and negative perceptions regarding accompaniment of student nurses in clinical settings, including that: • accompaniment in the clinical settings enhanced student nurses' clinical learning experiences • the presence of nurse educators in the clinical settings improved student nurses' accompaniment • facilitators played an important role in the accompaniment of student nurses • accompaniment enhances correlation of theory and practice
Health Studies
MA (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

The purpose of this study was to explore the practices, perceptions and needs of nurses in relation to their participation in continuing professional development. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted guided by Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory as the conceptual framework. Data collection was done using a structured self-administered questionnaire with a sample of 178 nurses. The findings revealed that the respondents perceived continuing professional development as important. However the study found minimal involvement of nurses during the initial stages of designing continuing professional development programmes and this may lead to incorrect identification of learning needs. Personal, organisational and professional factors were identified as barriers to nurses’ participation in continuing professional development. Preparation of nurses in advance and the use of teaching strategies that recognise past experience and adults as resources were found to increase nurses’ participation in continuing professional development programmes
Health Studies
M.A. (Health Studies)

Qualified nurses cannot perform tasks and procedures with confidence due to ineffective mentoring by a clinical nurse during training. Effective mentoring by the clinical nurse, with an additional accredited qualification in his/her field should assist in the development and confidence of the student nurse. The purpose of this study was to explore the learner’s experience of mentoring and facilitation by the clinical nurse, challenges and their view of the clinical nurse, and if this could be a predictive factor to their level of an independent nurse practitioner at the end of training. A non-experimental, descriptive qualitative design was used to identify the experience of the students and newly qualified nurses regarding the amount and quality of facilitation given by the clinical nurse in practice. The research population consisted of all categories of student nurses currently in training as well as qualified nurses within the past year from different facilities. An online semi-structured questionnaire survey was distributed among 45 participants and feedback received by 32 anonymous participants in the public and private sector. The findings of the study indicated that not all newly qualified nurses are able to practice as independent nurses, there’s a lack in mentoring and facilitation by clinical nurses during training and that a clinical nurse should have an additional qualification to better the learner experience.
Health Studies
M.A. (Nursing science)

Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the perceptions of the nurses’ CPD and its contribution to quality patient care in the Gauteng province of the Republic of South Africa. Significance of the study: The significance of the study is to highlight the importance of CPD as one of the contributing factors to the quality of patient care through on-going competence. The researcher hopes the recommendations from the study may serve as a motivation to health institutions that are not actively involved in continuing professional development. Method and data analysis: Quantitative descriptive explorative design was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The study involved registered professional nurses (n =105) and enrolled nurses (n=56) employed in a state health institution. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire.A total of 200 questionnaire were distributed and 162 completed questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 162/200=81%. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SAS software version 9.3.The internal and external validity was enhanced by selecting a large homogenous sample. Ethical issues: An information leaflet indicating the key elements of the study such as the research title, the purpose of the study, voluntary participation and when to withdraw from the study was distributed to all the participants. Results: The study found that nurses participate in CPD activities to maintain their professional competence, thereby contributing to quality patient care. The findings are consistent with the findings from other studies
Health Studies
M.A. (Health Studies)

The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of simulation training in improving the clinical competence of pupil nurses. A quantitative, quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group before-after design is used. The method of data collection is observation using check lists. The population for this study includes the second-year pupil nurses (N=43) following the two-year programme leading to enrolment as a nurse at the Gauteng learning centre of a private hospital group during 2011-2012. The results reveal that although there is proof that clinical training in simulation improves the competence levels of the experimental group in the procedure administration of oral medication over a period of time, there is no proof that this is true for the procedure observation of patients’ neurological functions and, therefore, the researcher cannot come to a definite conclusion about the effectiveness of simulation training
Health Studies
M.A. (Health Studies)

This qualitative study was aimed at exploring and describing the theoretical and practical experiences of second-year critical care nursing students. Purposive sampling was done, and unstructured interviews and narrative descriptions were used as data collection tools. An adaptation of Johns's Framework, the Guideline for the Facilitation of Reflection as Teaching Strategy, was used during interviews to guide participants in reflecting on theory-practice integration. Multiple strategies were used to ensure the trustworthiness of the study. Concerning patient data, communication, and the administration of life-saving medications, theory-practice integration did occur. Regarding treatment and the outcome of nursing interventions, it seemed that knowledge deficiencies and a lack of exposure to practical situations contributed to the inability to apply theory to practice. This apparent inability evoked negative feelings, such as guilt. Discrepancies between practice and theory taught led to confusion. Guided reflection assisted students in gaining a new perspective on nursing and theory-practice integration.
Health Studies
M.A. (Health Studies)

Background: The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework established by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) states that organisations have a responsibility to create enabling environments in which the development of nurses can take place. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the CPD of nurses at a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Method: A quantitative descriptive design was followed. Convenience sampling yielded a sample of 166 nurses consisting of the registered nurse (63.2%) and enrolled nurse categories (36.8%). Data collection was done using a self-designed questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Version 9.4 programme. Results: The findings revealed that CPD was ranked the least important area in terms of management priorities. Key barriers to development included staff shortages, lack of funding, poor resources and competing personal responsibilities. The study found that CPD had positive outcomes for nursing practice.
Health Studies
M.A. (Nursing Science)