scholarly journals Nurse educators’ reflections on factors that contributed to their resignation at a public nursing college in Johannesburg, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Vhothusa Edward Matahela

Background and objective: There is a shortage of nurses in the country and worldwide, and the problem is compounded by the resignation of nurse educators. When nurse educators resign, they leave with their expertise and skills, thus compromising the provision of quality teaching and learning in the institution. It is imperative that a study to determine the factors contributing to the resignation of nurse educators be conducted.  The aim of the study was to explore and describe the factors that contributed to the resignation of nurse educators at a Johannesburg nursing college in South Africa. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used to provide an in-depth description of factors that contributed to nurse educators resigning from a Johannesburg nursing college. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected nurse educators, using audiotapes until data saturation. Data were analysed by the researcher and an independent coder using the Tesch protocols on thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was achieved using Lincoln and Guba’s strategies.Results: Three themes emerged, namely: experience of an unappreciative working environment; negative influences on the ‘self’ of the nurse educator; and the need for career advancement and professional growth.Conclusions: The provision of quality nursing education to produce nurses will be difficult in the face of nurse educators resigning from their posts. There is a need to implement retention strategies to create an appreciative working context for nurse educators in the institution.

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viola Janse van Vuuren ◽  
Eunice Seekoe ◽  
Daniel Ter Goon

Although nurse educators are aware of the advantages of simulation-based training, some still feel uncomfortable to use technology or lack the motivation to learn how to use the technology. The aging population of nurse educators causes frustration and anxiety. They struggle with how to include these tools particularly in the light of faculty shortages. Nursing education programmes are increasingly adopting simulation in both undergraduate and graduate curricula. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of nurse educators regarding the use of high fidelity simulation (HFS) in nursing education at a South African private nursing college. A national survey of nurse educators and clinical training specialists was completed with 118 participants; however, only 79 completed the survey. The findings indicate that everyone is at the same level as far as technology readiness is concerned, however, it does not play a significant role in the use of HFS. These findings support the educators’ need for training to adequately prepare them to use simulation equipment. There is a need for further research to determine what other factors play a role in the use of HFS; and if the benefits of HFS are superior to other teaching strategies warranting the time and financial commitment. The findings of this study can be used as guidelines for other institutions to prepare their teaching staff in the use of HFS.


BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Cheng ◽  
Jiong Tu ◽  
Xiaoyan Shen

Abstract Background With China’s population ageing rapidly, stroke is becoming one of the major public health problems. Nurses are indispensable for caring for older patients with acute and convalescent stroke, and their working experiences are directly linked to the quality of care provided. The study aims to investigate registered nurses’ experiences of caring for older stroke patients. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 26 registered nurses about their lived experiences of caring for older stroke patients. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results Two main themes were identified. First, the nurses identified an obvious gap between their ideal role in elderly care and their actual practice. The unsatisfactory reality was linked to the practical difficulties they encountered in their working environment. Second, the nurses expressed conflicting feelings about caring for older stroke patients, displaying a sense of accomplishment, indifference, annoyance, and sympathy. Caring for older stroke patients also affects nurses psychologically and physically. The nurses were clear about their own roles and tried their best to meet the elderly people’s needs, yet they lack time and knowledge about caring for older stroke patients. The factors influencing their working experiences extend beyond the personal domain and are linked to the wider working environment. Conclusions Sustaining the nursing workforce and improving their working experiences are essential to meet the care needs of older people. Understanding nurses’ lived working experiences is the first step. At the individual level, nurse mangers should promote empathy, relieve anxiety about aging, and improve the job satisfaction and morale of nurses. At the institutional level, policymakers should make efforts to improve the nursing clinical practice environment, increase the geriatric nursing education and training, achieve a proper skill mix of the health workforce, and overall attract, prepare and sustain nurses regarding caring for older people in a rapidly aging society.


Author(s):  
Sizwe B Mahlambi ◽  
Ailwei S Mawela

In this study, we aimed to explore Grade 6 mathematics teachers' use of English, the language of learning and teaching in assessment for learning in selected primary schools in Alexandra Township, South Africa. From Grade 4, English is the language of teaching and learning for most learners, despite English being the home language of a minority of learners. Results of studies have shown that in South Africa, in Grades 1 to 3, in which learners are taught using their home-language performance appears to be better than in Grades 4 to 6 where English as a First Additional Language (EFAL) is used for teaching and learning. Guided by qualitative case study design, we used semi-structured interviews and non-participatory observation to collect data from nine purposefully sampled Grade 6 mathematics teachers. In conjunction with the literature reviewed and the theory underpinning the study, we used themes to analyse, interpret, and discuss the data we collected. This research revealed that learners in Grade 6 struggle to understand English as the language of learning and teaching, so, to augment concept development and understanding, teachers and learners use code-switching. In the classrooms observed, this practice has become the norm to improve the performance of learners with limited language proficiency. However, because of the differences between the home language of learners and that of teachers in mathematics classrooms, code-switching is often not enough to ensure understanding.


Author(s):  
Carey S. Clark

It has been made clear by nurse educators and theorists such as Bevis (1989), Benner, Tanner, and Chesla (1996), and Bevis and Watson (2000) that a movement away from the traditional, behavioral, medical-model of lecture and behaviorism as the main modalities for teaching and learning in nursing is essential. Why is it then that nursing education by and large is still taught via lecture and behavioralist methodologies (Bevis & Watson, 2000), despite the proliferation of research related to innovations in nursing education? This paper examines the parallel between the prevailing Western “dominator” social system or paradigm, “masculine” values/ traits, and the established behavioralist-medical methodology of teaching nursing. How nursing education in general has been influenced by the dominator social system is discussed and an argument for why nurse educators might consider working towards more effective means of closing the gap between caring-humanistic nursing philosophies and actual educational practices presented.


Curationis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine H. Thurling ◽  
Candice Harris

South Africa’s high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected women requires a comprehensive health care approach to pregnancy because of the added risk of their HIV status. As a result of the shortage of health care workers in South Africa, lay counsellors play important roles in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT).There is no standardization of training of lay counsellors in South Africa, and training varies in length depending on the training organisation.The study aimed to investigate the training of lay counsellors by analysing their training curricula and interviewing lay counsellors about their perceptions of their training.A two phase research method was applied. Phase one documented an analysis of the training curricula. Phase two was semi-structured interviews with the participants. Purposive sampling was undertaken for this study. The total sample size was 13 people, with a final sample of 9 participants, determined at the point of data saturation.The research was qualitative, descriptive and contextual in design. The curricula analysed had different styles of delivery, and the approaches to learning and courses varied, resulting in inconsistent training outcomes. A need for supervision and mentorship in the working environment was also noted.The training of lay counsellors needs to be adapted to meet the extended roles that they are playing in PMTCT. The standardization of training programmes, and the incorporation of a system of mentorship in the work environment, would ensure that the lay counsellors are adequately prepared for their role in PMTCT.


Curationis ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
T.R. Makhuvha ◽  
M. Davhana-Maselesele ◽  
V.O. Netshandama

Nursing education institutions are facing a challenge of realigning its functioning according to the changes that are taking place within the country. The intention of the government post apartheid was to correct the imbalances which were brought about by the apartheid government and the following regulations and policies influenced the change in nursing education, that is, Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), White Paper on Higher Education (WPHE), and the National Qualification Framework (NQF) (South Africa, 1995:6). In 1996 the government introduced the first democratic constitution of the Republic of South Africa (RS A) according to Act 108 of 1996. In the light of those increasing changes in nursing education, led by political change, the experiences of nurse educators is a critical issue facing nursing campuses. The purpose of this study was two-fold; namely: to explore and describe the experiences of nurse educators with regard to the rationalisation of nursing education and to use information obtained to describe guidelines for the effective rationalisation of a nursing college in the Limpopo Province. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nurse educators who worked in nursing colleges before and after 1994. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were applied and ethical issues were adhered to throughout the research process. Data was analysed following Tesch’s method (Creswell 1994:154-155). The research established that nurse educators experienced dissatisfaction in several areas relating to the rationalization of nursing education. Support was also expected from bureaucracy at higher level. This study developed guidelines to policy makers and nurse educators to ensure effective rationalisation process.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30
Author(s):  
Rachel Garland ◽  
Mary Lou Batty

We argue that while the discipline of nursing aligns with the ideals of social justice and anti-racism, it has been challenging for nurse educators to translate these ideals into practice. In this discussion paper, we explore these challenges. Of note, there is little guidance for nurse educators to support student knowledge development in addressing the complex issues surrounding anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. Accordingly, we utilized Peggy Chinn’s Peace and Power framework as a guide to develop an anti-racist practice that is underpinned by critical pedagogy. Our aim is to provide teaching and learning strategies for nurse educators to address racism, discrimination, and oppression in undergraduate nursing learning environments. Implications of this article include guidance for nurse educators who are committed to anti-racist pedagogical practice.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beauty M. Zulu ◽  
Emmerentia Du Plessis ◽  
Magdalena P. Koen

Background: This research addressed the need to have a deeper understanding of nursing students’ experiences of clinical placement and support in primary healthcare (PHC) settings.Aim: To explore and describe the experiences of nursing students’ clinical placement in PHC settings.Setting: The study was conducted at PHC clinics in a specific province in South Africa.Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The population comprised fourth-year nursing students selected using purposive sampling. Five semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted. Data saturation determined the sample size which comprised 25 nursing students. Thematic data analysis produced four main themes.Results: The main themes were (1) the meaning of placement, (2) experiences of clinical placement, (3) needs for support, and (4) resilience of nursing students.Conclusions: Nursing students encountered negative and positive experiences. Both experiences confirmed that PHC settings can be valuable learning opportunities for nursing students. Nursing students appreciated the supervision of professional nurses who created an atmosphere conducive for teaching and learning by welcoming and encouraging nursing students’ independence. Recommendations include: appointing a professional nurse specifically for supervision of nursing students, tutor support before summative examinations, improvement of services, including the availability of resources.Contribution: This article contributes to awareness of how nursing students manage to stay resilient irrespective of negative experiences during clinical placement and how tutors and professional nurses can support them. The study’s recommendations can guide professional nurses, nurse educators, nurse managers and other healthcare PHC workers to support nursing students.


Curationis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria G. Ndawo

Background: The gradual increase in the number of learners admitted into a nursing college in Gauteng resulted in an increase in class size without a proportional increase in the number of nurse educators.Objectives: To explore and describe the experiences of nurse educators teaching in large classes at a nursing college in Gauteng in order to present recommendations to facilitate teaching and learning.Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and phenomenological research design which is contextual in nature was used. A total of 20 nurse educators were selected through purposive sampling, and in-depth phenomenological semi-structured individual interviews were conducted between January and February 2013. Data were analysed together with the field notes, using Tesch’s open coding protocol of qualitative data analysis. Lincoln and Guba’s four principles were used to ensure trustworthiness.Results: The themes that emerged from this study were that nurse educators experienced difficulty in recognising learners as individuals in a large class, using innovative pedagogical strategies, and managing a large class. These findings had a negative impact on meaningful teaching and learning as they interfered with an enabling learning environment.Recommendations: Nurse educators should be empowered with facilitative skills in order to effectively manage a large class and hence to achieve teaching and learning abilities.Conclusion: There is a need for nurse educators to finding alternative ways to overcome challenges associated with teaching in large classes and prepare learners to render individualised, caring and holistic nursing care to each unique patient in the healthcare setting.Keywords: Large class, Teaching, Learning; Hindrance


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-145
Author(s):  
Asih Nurakhir ◽  
Fiqih Nindya Palupi ◽  
Cornelia Langeveld ◽  
Devi Nurmalia

Background: The skills in effective communication and critical thinking are essential for nurses to apply appropriate judgments in the delivery of patient care. Classroom debates are evident to be an effective strategy that can be used to improve such skills. Unfortunately, research focusing on classroom debates to promote critical thinking and oral communication skills among nursing students has not been extensively explored.   Purpose: This study aimed to explore nursing students’ views of classroom debates as a learning strategy to enhance critical thinking and oral communication skills.Methods: A descriptive qualitative research design was employed in this study. Twelve students of the undergraduate program in nursing with classroom debate experiences and willingness to participate were purposively recruited for semi-structured interviews. Open-ended questions were used, and probing questions were also generated from the participants to get more detailed information. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the inductive content analysis. Results: The results of the study identified five themes, including the acquisition of new knowledge, awareness and responsiveness to diverse viewpoints and arguments, learning structuring ideas and appropriate ways of presentation, development of other necessary skills, and challenges of classroom debates in nursing education.  Conclusion: Classroom debates promoted the development of critical thinking and oral communication skills, and offered students an opportunity to develop other necessary skills in the face of today’s complex healthcare. Classroom debates can be integrated into the curriculum and teaching practices of any nursing educational institutions.  


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