scholarly journals Student nurses’ perceptions of their educational environment at a school of nursing in Western Cape province, South Africa: A cross-sectional study

Curationis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katlego D.T. Mthimunye ◽  
Felicity M. Daniels

Background: Educational environments have been found to bear a substantial relationship with the academic performance and success, as well as the retention, of students.Objectives: The study objectives were to (1) evaluate the educational environment as perceived by undergraduate nursing students at a school of nursing (SON) in Western Cape province and (2) investigate whether the educational environment, or components thereof, is perceived negatively or positively among undergraduate nursing students of different year level, gender, home language and ethnicity.Method: A quantitative research method with a cross-sectional design was implemented. Data were collected from 232 undergraduate nursing students from a SON at a university in Western Cape province, South Africa. The subscales and the items of the educational environment questionnaire were compared among undergraduate nursing students. Data were analysed by means of the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS-24) using analysis of variances (ANOVAs), independent-sample t-tests, mean scores, standard deviations and percentages.Results: The mean score attained for the entire participant group was 195 (standard deviation [SD] = 24.2) out of 268 (equivalent to 72.8% of maximum score), which indicated that the educational environment was perceived substantially more positively than negatively. The overall mean score was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for male students (M = 202; SD = 21) and for black students (M = 202; SD = 21). The digital resources (DR) subscale was the only subscale with a statement or item that was rated as absolute negative (M = 1.9; SD = 0.9).Conclusion: The educational environment at the institution concerned was perceived as predominantly positive by its undergraduate nursing students. Although the educational environment was predominantly perceived as positive, the results of this study also indicated that enhancements are required to improve the physical classroom conditions, skills laboratories, DR and the implemented teaching and learning strategies. It is vital for university management to prioritise the creation of an educational environment which would ensure that quality learning takes place.

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Jarvis ◽  
Penelope Martin ◽  
Margaret Williams ◽  
Fiona Walters ◽  
Olivia Baloyi ◽  
...  

Background: The novel nature of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic places challenges on nursing students as they try to complete the clinical requirement of their training. Nursing faculties need to understand these challenges to support and equip nursing students to enter the workforce.Aim: To explore and describe the anticipated and subsequent perceptions of final year Bachelor of Nursing students returning to clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.Setting: The study was conducted at two universities in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Both universities offer 4-year Bachelor of Nursing programmes accredited by the South African Nursing Council and were in ‘hot spot areas’ for SARS-CoV-2.Methods: A qualitative study with focus groups discussions of final year undergraduate nursing students from both universities were conducted. Data were analysed through content analysis using Lazarus and Folkman’s Stress Appraisal Coping Model.Results: Five focus groups discussions with a total of 25 participants were conducted. Three themes with eight sub-themes emerged, the key themes being: primary appraisal and anticipation of returning to clinical practice; contextual influence on primary appraisal and reappraisal to facilitate positive return to clinical practice.Conclusion: Primary perceptions of returning to clinical practice revolved around uncertainty and stress. However, through preparation and the process of reappraisal, participants were able to adapt and cope with the challenges in returning to clinical practice during the pandemic.Contribution: It is important to recognise the role of faculty in supporting nursing students’ transition into situations of uncertainty such as the pandemic.


Author(s):  
Shwu-Ru Liou ◽  
Hsiu-Chen Liu ◽  
Chun-Chih Lin ◽  
Hsiu-Min Tsai ◽  
Ching-Yu Cheng

The purpose of the study was to explore the levels of and relationships between disaster nursing competence, anticipatory disaster stress, and the motivation for disaster engagement among undergraduate nursing students in Taiwan. A cross-sectional research design was applied. Using convenience sampling, 90 nursing students participated with an 86.54% response rate. The Disaster Core Competencies Questionnaire, Anticipatory Disaster Stress Questionnaire, and Motivation for Disaster Engagement Questionnaire were used to collect data. The Pearson correlation and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results showed that students’ level of disaster nursing competence was low, anticipatory disaster stress was not high, and motivation for disaster engagement was high. Motivation for disaster engagement was positively correlated with anticipatory disaster stress. Students who were more willing to participate in disaster management had a higher level of anticipatory disaster stress and motivation for disaster engagement. It is suggested that healthcare institutions and schools should work together to design disaster education plans using innovative teaching/learning strategies to increase students’ willingness and motivation for disaster engagement.


Curationis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fundiswa P. Fadana ◽  
Hilda F. Vember

Background: This study explored the experiences of undergraduate nursing students during clinical practice at healthcare facilities in the Boland Overberg area in Western Cape, South Africa. Few studies have been done on experiences of nursing students during clinical practice. However, there are still inadequacies, which lead to the deterioration of clinical practice quality.Objectives: To explore and describe the experiences of undergraduate student nurses during clinical practice in healthcare facilities in Boland Overberg, in Western Cape, South Africa.Method: A qualitative, exploratory descriptive design was applied. Data collection was done using focus-group interviews to ascertain the undergraduate student nurses’ experiences during clinical practice in healthcare facilities in the Boland Overberg area in Western Cape Region. Thirty-eight undergraduate nursing students from Boland Campus were selected, using purposive sampling. The sample size was based on data saturation. Colaizzi’s method of coding and thematic content analysis was used to interpret the data. Ethical principles were adhered to.Results: After data analysis, the following themes emerged: clinical learning environment, challenges and inability to reach objectives.Conclusion: During clinical practice in healthcare facilities, students were confronted with dilemmas which must be addressed with proper planning to decrease the challenges in clinical education of future nurses. The findings can be used in planning of nursing education, could provide help to develop effective clinical teaching strategies in nursing education and to support these undergraduate nursing students.


Author(s):  
Tahereh Yaghoubi ◽  
Fereshteh Araghian Mojarad ◽  
Mohammad Ali Heidari Gorji ◽  
Ali Hesamzadeh ◽  
Fatemeh Talebian

Introduction: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a valuable method in clinical evaluation of nursing students.  The OSCE was first held in Nasibeh School of Nursing and Midwifery. The successful outcome of this exam encouraged other Nursing school to use the OSCE in evaluating the nursing studentschr('39') clinical competency before their completion of undergraduate course. The aim of this study was to investigate the feedback of fourth year nursing studentschr('39') feedback about OSCE as an assessment tool for their clinical competence and skills. Material and Methods: This study has a cross sectional descriptive design. All of the 36 undergraduate nursing students in the eighth semester who attended the OSCE Exam at the Nasibeh School of Nursing and Midwifery affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences participated in this study. The questionnaire was designed and developed by the researchers.  The questionnaire assesses nursing studentschr('39') viewpoints of the OSCE characteristics.    Results: The results of this study show that OSCE has been accepted by the most of the undergraduate nursing students as an evaluation method for their clinical competency.  For most students OSCE was reliable, covered a wide range of discipline and fair aspects. Having the OSCE was a positive practical experience for most students. However, several students felt that OSCE was not hold properly. Conclusion: The feedback received regarding this evaluation method provides evidence that OSCE is a valuable method for evaluating undergraduate nursing studentschr('39') competency. Such feedback is considered helpful for further development of OSCE.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Winifred Chinyere Ukoha ◽  
Nomaxabiso M. Mooi

Despite the prioritisation of contraceptives in the sustainable development goals for 2030 and their increasing availability, unplanned pregnancy remains a universal problem, representing up to 40 per cent of all reported pregnancies. Many sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa, have resorted to the use of implanted contraceptives, such as Implanon, to decrease the rate of unintended pregnancies. Therefore, this study sought to assess the knowledge, attitude and use regarding the Implanon contraceptive method among undergraduate nursing students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 undergraduate nursing students who were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected through questionnaires and analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24. The results revealed that 37 (61.7%) of the respondents were between the ages of 18 and 19 years and none were married or divorced. Fifty-five (91.7%) of them had no children, while 5 (8.3%) had experienced an unintended pregnancy before. Twenty-five (41.7%) of the respondents were not aware of the availability of Implanon, while 35 (58.3%) of them had unfavourable attitudes to the contraceptive method. The results also revealed a significant relationship between certain socio-demographic variables, especially between age and the experience of an unintended pregnancy (p = 0.006). Based on these findings, efforts should be made to promote contraceptive education and counselling. Further research, preferably qualitative research, is needed to explore the reasons for the unfavourable attitude to the implanted contraceptive method.


BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Arrogante ◽  
Gracia María González-Romero ◽  
Eva María López-Torre ◽  
Laura Carrión-García ◽  
Alberto Polo

Abstract Background Formative and summative evaluation are widely employed in simulated-based assessment. The aims of our study were to evaluate the acquisition of nursing competencies through clinical simulation in undergraduate nursing students and to compare their satisfaction with this methodology using these two evaluation strategies. Methods Two hundred eighteen undergraduate nursing students participated in a cross-sectional study, using a mixed-method. MAES© (self-learning methodology in simulated environments) sessions were developed to assess students by formative evaluation. Objective Structured Clinical Examination sessions were conducted to assess students by summative evaluation. Simulated scenarios recreated clinical cases of critical patients. Students´ performance in all simulated scenarios were assessed using checklists. A validated questionnaire was used to evaluate satisfaction with clinical simulation. Quantitative data were analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 24.0 software, whereas qualitative data were analysed using the ATLAS-ti version 8.0 software. Results Most nursing students showed adequate clinical competence. Satisfaction with clinical simulation was higher when students were assessed using formative evaluation. The main students’ complaints with summative evaluation were related to reduced time for performing simulated scenarios and increased anxiety during their clinical performance. Conclusion The best solution to reduce students’ complaints with summative evaluation is to orient them to the simulated environment. It should be recommended to combine both evaluation strategies in simulated-based assessment, providing students feedback in summative evaluation, as well as evaluating their achievement of learning outcomes in formative evaluation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 2325-2339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simoní Saraiva Bordignon ◽  
Valéria Lerch Lunardi ◽  
Edison Luiz Devos Barlem ◽  
Graziele de Lima Dalmolin ◽  
Rosemary Silva da Silveira ◽  
...  

Background: Moral distress is considered to be the negative feelings that arise when one knows the morally correct response to a situation but cannot act because of institutional or hierarchal constraints. Objectives: To analyze moral distress and its relation with sociodemographic and academic variables in undergraduate students from different universities in Brazil. Method: Quantitative study with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected through the Moral Distress Scale for Nursing Students, with 499 nursing students from three universities in the extreme south of Brazil answering the scale. The data were analyzed in the statistical software SPSS version 22.0, through descriptive statistical analysis, association tests (t-test and analysis of variance), and linear regression models. Ethical considerations: Approval for the study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande. Findings: The mean intensity of moral distress in the constructs ranged from 1.60 to 2.55. As to the occurrence of situations leading to moral distress in the constructs, the frequencies ranged from 1.21 to 2.43. The intensity level of moral distress showed higher averages in the more advanced grades of the undergraduate nursing course, when compared to the early grades of this course (between 5 and 10 grade, average = 2.60–3.14, p = 0.000). Conclusion: The demographic and academic characteristics of the undergraduate nursing students who referred higher levels of moral distress were being enrolled in the final course semesters, were at a federal university, and had no prior degree as an auxiliary nurse/nursing technician.


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