Magister Curationis - MCur / In South Africa, mental health nursing forms part of the basic (pre-registration) education of Professional Nurses, in order to equip them for employment as general nurses in the comprehensive health services of the country. Mental health nursing is an interpersonal process, in which counselling is aimed at supporting and facilitating healthy lifestyle functioning. At the higher education institution of interest, psychiatry nursing is incorporated at the final year level of nursing. The student nurses are prepared with the theory of psychiatric nursing, two weeks before their clinical placement in hospitals and clinics. At the end of the year, they are expected to pass both the theory and practical component. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of final year student nurses, regarding their preparedness for psychiatric clinical placement. The objective of the study was to describe the experiences of the students, regarding their preparedness for psychiatric clinical placement. A descriptive design, with a qualitative approach, was used to explore and describe the phenomenon under investigation. The researcher used purposive sampling to select participants for the study from a population of final year student nurses of a higher education institution in the Western Cape. They met the sampling criteria because they knew a great deal about the phenomenon of interest, had completed the two-week orientation programme and worked in a clinical placement for at least three months. Their participation in the study was on a voluntary basis. The researcher used unstructured interviews to collect data from the participants. The data analysis was done following Coliazzi's seven steps. The findings indicated that the students were not prepared for their psychiatric placements, even though they attended a two-week orientation programme, prior to their placements. It was revealed that anxiety played a huge role in the unpreparedness of students. The participants, therefore, suggest that the orientation period be extended. The researcher, however, applauds the staff members in the clinical placements and urges them to maintain their positive attitude towards the students, as the participants acknowledged and appreciated their support.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Due to the large student-supervisor ratio, a school of nursing at an university in the Western Cape, developed specific preceptorship training for professional nurses working in e.g. psychiatric hospitals. This aimed at improving the clinical teaching expertise of professional nurses and ensuring positive experiences around placement of student nurses. It was unclear how undergraduate student nurses experienced their interactions with their preceptors while placed in psychiatric units. The study used a descriptive phenomenological design to describe the lived experiences of student nurses with preceptors during their clinical placement at a psychiatric hospital. Undergraduate student nurses who were allocated to a preceptor at a psychiatric hospital in the Western Cape served as the population of the study. Purposive sampling was applied and individual unstructured interviews (n=11) held. This study adopted Collaizi's method of data analysis. Results of this study indicated that the nurse preceptors played a supportive role towards students during placement in psychiatric units. This resulted in meeting the students' objectives and needs in clinical placement. A challenge around a comprehensive learning environment was interpreted as a great need during students' training. Ethical clearance was sought from the Ethics Committee of the University of the Western Cape and ethical principles followed in conducting the study. Trustworthiness was ensured during the research process.

Yes / Simulation-based education (SBE) partially replaced the clinical placement learning for a cohort of first year students on a BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography programme. This was in response to the pressures on hospital-based training caused by increasing student numbers and following increased capability and positive outcomes for student learning in delivering SBE as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was distributed to diagnostic radiographers, across five NHS Trusts, involved in the clinical education of first year diagnostic radiography students at one UK university. The survey sought radiographers' perception of student performance in undertaking radiographic examinations, safety procedures, knowledge of anatomy, professionalism, and the impact of embedding simulation-based education through multichoice and free text questions. Descriptive and thematic analysis of the survey data was undertaken. Twelve survey responses from radiographers across four Trusts were collated. Responses indicated the majority of radiographers perceived students to require the expected level of assistance in undertaking appendicular examinations, applying infection control and radiation safety measures, and had the expected level of radiographic anatomy knowledge. Students also interacted appropriately with service users, demonstrated increased confidence in coming into the clinical environment and were receptive to feedback. Some variation was noted, particularly in professionalism and engagement, though not always attributed to SBE. Replacement of clinical placement with SBE was perceived to have provided appropriate learning opportunities and some additional benefits, however it was felt by some radiographers that SBE could not replace the experience of the real imaging environment. Embedding simulated-based education requires a holistic approach and close collaboration with placement partners to ensure complimentary learning experiences in the clinical placement setting, and support achievement of the learning outcomes.

Background: Practical training on hospital wards is a major component of basic nurse training. With this in mind, there were concerns with respect to the ability to provide nursing students with the quality of clinical experience that is required as a result of changes in the Barbados nursing policy to increase the number of students. Aim: The overall aim of this research was to understand student nurses’ clinical placement learning experience at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, based on their current and desired clinical experiences. Research objectives: (1) to examine the student nurses’ current learning experiences at the hospital; (2) to determine the student nurses’ desired experiences at the hospital; and, (3) to compare and contrast their current clinical experience with their desired experience by integrating the data across the quantitative and qualitative studies. Design: A sequential explanatory mixed methods research. Methods: First study: The Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) (current and desired form) and the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher (CLES+T) questionnaires were distributed to second and third year student nurses (n = 191) at the Barbados Community College. Descriptive and inferential analysis performed. Second study: Qualitative semi-structured interviews (n = 10) among second and third year student nurses analysed thematically. Results: Quantitative survey (First study): ‘Student satisfaction’ (mean 25.74 of 35), ‘Task orientation’ (mean 25.62 of 35), the ‘Leadership style of the ward sister’ (mean 4.02 of 5) and ‘Premises of nursing care on the ward’ (mean 4.01 of 5) greatly informed students’ actual hospital experience. The current and desired hospital experiences were statistically significant different (z = 6.68 to 8.07, p = 0.000). Qualitative interviews (Second study): Four overarching themes were generated: ‘Engaged, proactive and communicative team’; ‘No cohesion among team’; ‘Students – willing to learn and motivated’; and, ‘Consequences – positive and negative’. Overarching findings from both studies: Four major topics describe the student nurses’ experiences: ‘Engagement of the ward nursing team’, ‘The nature of nursing care delivery’, ‘Clinical supervision and teaching of nursing students on the ward’, and ‘Nursing student satisfaction’. Conclusion: The ward sister influences the ward team spirit and students’ clinical learning, negatively or positively. Nurse educators should acknowledge the value of clear, well organised ward activities on students’ learning. Clinical nursing curricula should be based on a blended educational learning perspective.

<p>In nursing education the clinical component comprises an important part of the students&rsquo / training. Clinical teaching and learning happens in simulated as well as real world settings. First&ndash / year students spend the first quarter of their first year developing clinical skills in the skills laboratory. In the second-term they are placed in real service settings. This study was aimed at exploring the experiences of first year nursing students of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) during their first clinical placement in the hospital. A qualitative phenomenological exploratory study design was used and a purposive sample of twelve nursing students was selected to participate in the study. The research question was &ldquo / Describe your experiences during your first placement in hospital?&rdquo / Written informed consent was given by every participant and ethical approval was obtained from the relevant UWC structures. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted, audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and sub-categories, categories, and themes were extracted during the data analysis process. Trustworthiness of the data collection and data analysis processes were ensured. Many of the first year nursing students described theirexperience in hospital as being stressful. However, the first placement in hospital allowed them to work with real patients and provided them an opportunity to develop a variety of clinical skills. Even though the hospital environment was unfamiliar and the ward staff unwelcoming, the patients&rsquo / acknowledged and valued their contribution to patient care. Students tend to seek support from family members and lecturers. It is recommended that first year nursing students be prepared adequately for their first placement in hospital as well as to&nbsp / provide practical and emotional support to students during their hospital placement</p>

<p>In nursing education the clinical component comprises an important part of the students&rsquo / training. Clinical teaching and learning happens in simulated as well as real world settings. First&ndash / year students spend the first quarter of their first year developing clinical skills in the skills laboratory. In the second-term they are placed in real service settings. This study was aimed at exploring the experiences of first year nursing students of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) during their first clinical placement in the hospital. A qualitative phenomenological exploratory study design was used and a purposive sample of twelve nursing students was selected to participate in the study. The research question was &ldquo / Describe your experiences during your first placement in hospital?&rdquo / Written informed consent was given by every participant and ethical approval was obtained from the relevant UWC structures. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted, audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and sub-categories, categories, and themes were extracted during the data analysis process. Trustworthiness of the data collection and data analysis processes were ensured. Many of the first year nursing students described theirexperience in hospital as being stressful. However, the first placement in hospital allowed them to work with real patients and provided them an opportunity to develop a variety of clinical skills. Even though the hospital environment was unfamiliar and the ward staff unwelcoming, the patients&rsquo / acknowledged and valued their contribution to patient care. Students tend to seek support from family members and lecturers. It is recommended that first year nursing students be prepared adequately for their first placement in hospital as well as to&nbsp / provide practical and emotional support to students during their hospital placement</p>

Background Clinical placements are essential to nursing education, allowing students to gain live experience and knowledge of nursing in clinical environments prior to entering the healthcare workforce. Healthcare has increasingly integrated information and communication technology (ICT) into clinical environments, therefore ICT is also significant in nursing students’ clinical placements. However, research has revealed that despite its benefits, nurses and nursing students are unable to use ICT effectively for their practice and their learning. This may reflect one aspect of the challenges faced by nursing students as they learn during clinical placements. Therefore this research aims to analyse the dynamics of undergraduate nursing students’ learning and use of ICT during clinical placements. By doing so, this research seeks to develop theoretical models that can be used to improve clinical nursing education amidst the current technology era. - Research design This study was conducted in Seoul, South Korea. A qualitative-dominant mixed method strategy was adopted. Quantitative data was collected through the development of a modified Information Technology Attitude Scales for Health (ITASH), which was then administered to 508 nursing students from six different universities from October 2012 to December 2012. Constructivist grounded theory (CGT) guided qualitative data collection, which was achieved through sequence of four rounds of intensive individual and group interviews with 16 nursing students, 4 qualified nurses, and 2 university lecturers from April 2013 to June 2015 (a total of 23 individual interviews and 6 group interviews). The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of quantitative data analysis were supported by SPSS and LISREL, while the constant comparison approach of qualitative data was supported by Nvivo 10. - Findings The findings revealed: 1) nursing students’ learning dynamics through the qualitative research process based on CGT methodology, and 2) nursing students’ use of ICT during clinical placements based on the learning dynamics via both qualitative and quantitative research processes. In the learning dynamics, this study identified the nursing students’ cognitive learning and knowledge building process, and then the factors and dynamics influencing that process in the clinical environment. This was compared with classroom and simulation environments. Based on these dynamics, the factors and dynamics influencing the use of ICT for learning in the clinical environment was identified. An integration of the findings with supporting literature resulted in two theoretical models, the knowledge building dynamic (KBD) model and the contextual knowledge building dynamic (CKBD) model. These models assist in understanding the cognitive processes involved in an individual’s learning process, the influence of context and resulting dynamics on these processes, and subsequently, learning with ICT. - Conclusion This research expands on current nursing education literature by exploring the cognitive aspects of learning, specifically within the clinical environment. These are shaped by contextual factors such as socio-cultural factors, and their influence on students’ learning and use of clinical ICT. The theoretical models are relevant for several applications in educational assessment and design, policy, and in learning itself with the goal of improving the quality of patient care.

Magister Curationis - MCur / In nursing education the clinical component comprises an important part of the students’ training. Clinical teaching and learning happens in simulated as well as real world settings. First–year students spend the first quarter of their first year developing clinical skills in the skills laboratory. In the second-term they are placed in real service settings. This study was aimed at exploring the experiences of first year nursing students of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) during their first clinical placement in the hospital. A qualitative phenomenological exploratory study design was used and a purposive sample of twelve nursing students was selected to participate in the study. The research question was “Describe your experiences during your first placement in hospital?” Written informed consent was given by every participant and ethical approval was obtained from the relevant UWC structures. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted, audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and sub-categories, categories, and themes were extracted during the data analysis process. Trustworthiness of the data collection and data analysis processes were ensured. Many of the first year nursing students described their experience in hospital as being stressful. However, the first placement in hospital allowed them to work with real patients and provided them an opportunity to develop a variety of clinical skills. Even though the hospital environment was unfamiliar and the ward staff unwelcoming, the patients’ acknowledged and valued their contribution to patient care. Students tend to seek support from family members and lecturers. It is recommended that first year nursing students be prepared adequately for their first placement in hospital as well as to provide practical and emotional support to students during their hospital placement. / South Africa

Magister Curationis - MCur / In nursing education the clinical component comprises an important part of the students’ training. Clinical teaching and learning happens in simulated as well as real world settings. First–year students spend the first quarter of their first year developing clinical skills in the skills laboratory. In the second-term they are placed in real service settings. This study was aimed at exploring the experiences of first year nursing students of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) during their first clinical placement in the hospital. A qualitative phenomenological exploratory study design was used and a purposive sample of twelve nursing students was selected to participate in the study. The research question was “Describe your experiences during your first placement in hospital?” Written informed consent was given by every participant and ethical approval was obtained from the relevant UWC structures. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted, audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and sub-categories, categories, and themes were extracted during the data analysis process. Trustworthiness of the data collection and data analysis processes were ensured. Many of the first year nursing students described their experience in hospital as being stressful. However, the first placement in hospital allowed them to work with real patients and provided them an opportunity to develop a variety of clinical skills. Even though the hospital environment was unfamiliar and the ward staff unwelcoming, the patients’ acknowledged and valued their contribution to patient care. Students tend to seek support from family members and lecturers. It is recommended that first year nursing students be prepared adequately for their first placement in hospital as well as to provide practical and emotional support to students during their hospital placement

<p>This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of undergraduate community health nursing students at the University of the Western Cape&nbsp / who conducted a family health assessment learning task in communities during their clinical fieldwork placement.The population included the 2008&nbsp / semester two, third year undergraduate baccalaureus nursing students. These students completed their community health nursing modules at the end of the first semester. A total of nine (9) out of the eighty- nine (89) semester two students participated in this qualitative research study. The purposive and&nbsp / convenient sample consisted of those students who agreed to voluntarily participate in the research study. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven&nbsp / (7) female and two (2) male students to collect data. Field notes were taken and utilized to capture non-verbal communication of the participants. The focus&nbsp / f the researcher was to explore the lived experiences of students and not that of the family whom they interviewed. All interviews were audio recorded&nbsp / nd validated by participants after transcription, before any of the data was used for the data analysis process. The data collected was categorized into themes as guided by the systematic data analyses process according to Tesch&rsquo / s (1990) method, as cited in Creswell (2003). Saturation was tested&nbsp / after nine interviews and the researcher found that no new data emerged. The importance of the research study was to reflect on the exploration of the&nbsp / self-reported lived experiences of the third year community&nbsp / ealth nursing students while conducting the family health assessment learning task.&nbsp / </p>