Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / INTRODUCTION Globally, the use of alternative therapies by the public as well as healthcare workers has been widely documented. In South Africa, no studies have been done on alternative therapies specifically related to nurses. The vast amount of media attention with regards to alternative therapies related to the positive and negative outcomes has sparked major interest in this topic. The aim of the study was to determine the perceptions of professional nurses at nine hospitals within the uMgungundlovu District, South Africa, towards alternative therapies in a nursing context. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The objectives of the study were to determine the professional nurses’ perceptions as well as knowledge of alternative therapies. The possible barriers in providing alternative therapies in nursing practice was also explored in order to make recommendations to guide professional nurses with regard to alternative therapies in patient care. METHODOLOGY A quantitative exploratory research approach underpinned this study. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain information from professional nurses who had consented to participate. The total population of professional nurses was 1218. A total of 616 questionnaires were distributed to participants at the nine participating hospitals. Three hundred and eighty six (386) questionnaires were returned, which resulted in a 63% response rate. FINDINGS It was evident from the data that professional nurses used various forms of alternative therapies. The results revealed that almost 69% (n=265) used prayer/spiritual healing, followed by 53.9% (n=207) who used nutritional supplements, whilst 51.9% (n=199) used music therapy. Participants rated their satisfaction on the information received regarding alternative therapies in nursing education as follows: prayer/spiritual healing 71.1% (n=271), nutritional supplements 71.7% (n=273), music therapy 57.9% (n=220), massage therapy 46.7% (n=216) and support groups 80.3% (n=306). About two thirds (n=272) felt that alternative therapies was beneficial rather than a threat to patient’s health. However, 60% (n=229) agreed that the use of alternative therapies that were not tested in a scientific manner should be discouraged. More than 80% (n=313) of the sample thought that health professionals should have the ability to advise patients in the clinical setting about the most commonly used alternative therapies. More than half of the sample (n=254) stated that they did encounter patients in the clinical setting who enquired about alternative therapies. Only 39.6% (n=153) stated that they felt confident to advise patients about alternative therapies, whilst 26.7% (n=103) stated that they were unable to do so. As the evidence base for the use of alternative therapies grows, so too does the demand increases for the integration of alternative therapies in nursing education. Nurses being the patient’s advocate need to be well versed regarding the use and safety aspects of alternative therapies.

Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Primary Health Care (PHC) provide a quality, comprehensive health service to the community, based on the principles of equity, affordability, accessibility and community participation. It is a nurse driven service with the Clinical Nurse Practitioner (CNP), a registered nurse specialising in the clinical elements of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention at the forefront. It is against this background that this study was endeavored to investigate the community’s perceptions and lived experiences of the quality of care being rendered by CNPs in the West Coast rural district of the Western Cape. The objectives of this study included the following: - To explore and describe the perceptions of patients in the West Coast rural community regarding the attitudes, knowledge and skills of CNPs. - To provide policy makers with feedback and possible recommendations with regards to the implementation of this nurse driven PHC service. - To provide recommendations for improvement of the existing curricula at nursing education institutions based on whether the current training meets patients’ needs and thereby possibly influence curricular change. A qualitative, descriptive, research design was used. The guideline by Colaizzi (as cited in Streubert & Carpenter, 1999:14) was used for data collection and analysis. Twenty-six participants took part in five different group interviews. Semi-structured, open ended questions were used to encourage the participants to actively partake. Each interview was audio taped and field notes were taken. Thematic analyses was performed to highlight three main themes, i.e. the attitudes of the CNPs, the knowledge and skills of CNPs, and the impact of the current training programmes on the quality of care being rendered by these CNPs. Written approval from the Ethics Research Committee, University of Stellenbosch, as well as from the Research unit of the Western Cape Department of Health was obtained. Prior informed consent was further obtained from each participant, after being assured of voluntary participation, confidentiality and anonymity. Credibility, dependability and transferability were ensured by returning to two participants who validated that the transcripts were a true reflection of their experiencesand opinions. This study concluded that patients perceived CNPs as being unfriendly, uncompassionate and unprofessional. Dissatisfaction with the prevalence of unjust practices due to family members and certain race groups being attended to first by CNPs, were expressed. Participants found the competency levels of CNPs more than adequate when assessing, examining and providing health information and medicine. However, they expressed the need that CNPs should be able to prescribe a greater variety of medicines and perform more diagnostic tests than currently permitted by the scope of practice as set out by the South African Nursing Council. Therefore, these views of the participants indicated that the current postgraduate training programme do fulfill their health needs, although the need for expansion of the role and function of the CNP were expressed. Recommendations made included: - An in-depth investigation into the alleged rude attitudes of CNPs should be undertaken, soas to improve the professional behavior of CNPs towards patients. - Applicable policy makers should consider expanding the roles and functions of the CNP. - Enforcing continuous, professional competency through adequate and productive in-service training programmes. In conclusion, this study showed that CNPs need to be constantly aware that they work with human beings, with feelings and with health needs. The need for a therapeutic environment is thus crucial to the rendering of a quality, comprehensive service to the community they serve. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Primêre Gesondheidsorg (PGS) voorsien ’n kwaliteit, omvattende gesondheidsdiens aan die gemeenskap, gebaseer op die beginsels van gelykheid, bekostigbaarheid, toeganklikheid en gemeenskaps-betrokkenheid.Dit is `n verpleegaangedrewe diens met die Kliniese Verpleegspraktisyn (KVP) wat gespesialiseerd is in die kliniese elemente van primêre, sekondêre en tersiêre voorkoming, aan die voortou. Dit is teen hierdie agtergrond wat hierdie studie aangepak is, ten einde ondersoek in te stel aangaande die gemeenskap se persepsies en geleefde ervarings van die kwaliteit van sorg wat deur KVPs in die plattelandse Weskusdistrik van die Wes-Kaap gelewer word. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie het die volgende ingesluit: - Om die persepsies van pasiënte, rakende die ingesteldhede (gedrag), kennis en vaardighede van KVPs te ondersoek. - Om toepaslike beleidsmakers metterugvoer en moontlike aanbevelings te voorsien aangaande die implimentering van verpleegaangedrewe, PGS. - Om aanbevelings te maak vir die verbetering van bestaande kurrikula aan verpleegopleidingsinstellings op grond van óf die huidige opleiding in pasiëntbehoeftes voorsien, en sodoende kurrikulumverandering moontlik te beïnvloed. ’n Kwalitatiewe, beskrywende navorsingsontwerp is gebruik. Die raamwerk van Colaizzi (soos beskryf in Streubert & Carpenter, 1999:14) is tydens datainsameling en analiese gebruik. Ses-en-twintig deelnemers het aan die vyf verskillende groepsonderhoude deelgeneem. Semi-gestruktureerde, oop-einde vrae was gebruik om die deelnemers aan te moedig om aktief aan die besprekings deel te neem. Elke onderhoud is op oudio band opgeneem en veldnotas is gemaak. Tydens analiese is drie hooftemas geïdentifiseer, nl die houdings van KVPs, die kennis en vaardighede van die KVPs sowel as die impak van die opleidingsprogram op die kwaliteit van sorg wat deur KVPs gelewer word. Skriftelike toestemming vir die studie is by die Etiese Navorsingkommittee, Universiteit van Stellenbosch, asook die Navorsingseenheid van die Wes- Kaapse Departement van Gesondheid verkry. Voorafgaande toestemming is voorts vanaf elke deelnemer verkry, nadat hulle verseker is van vrywillige deelname, konfidensialiteit en anonimiteit. Geloofwaardigheid, afhanklikheid en oordraagbaarheid is verseker, deur na twee van die deelnemers terug te gaan wat die transkripsies geverifieër het as juis en korrek. In hierdie studie is tot die slotsom gekom dat pasiënte KVPs as onvriendelik enongevoeligervaar het. Onbillike praktyke kom steeds voor, deurdat familielede en sekere rassegroepe voorkeur behandeling kry. Deelnemers se ervarings aangaande die bevoegdheid van KVPs was as toereikend beskryf aangaande die assessering, ondersoek en voorsiening van gesondheidsinligting en medisyne. Hulle het egter ook die behoefte uitgespreek dat die KVP’s `n groter verskeidenheid medisyne behoort voor te skryf en meer diagnostiese toetse behoort te kan uitvoer as wat tans binne die bestek van praktyk, soos neergelê deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad op Verpleging, moontlik is. Hierdie persepsie van die deelnemers impliseer dat die huidige nagraadse opleidingsprogram voldoende is en hul gesondheidsbehoeftes aanspreek. Die behoefte vir die uitbreiding van die rol en funksie van die KVP is egter uitgespreek. Die aanbevelings wat gemaak is sluit in: - ’n In-diepte ondersoek oor die onbeskofte ingesteldhede van KVPs behoort uitgevoer te word, ten einde die professionele gedrag van KVPs teenoor pasiënte te verbeter. - Beleidmakers behoort die uitbreiding van die rolle en funksies van die KVP te oorweeg. - Benadruk voortgesette, professionele bevoegdheid deur toepaslike en produktiewe indiensopleidingsprogramme. Ter aflsuiting: hierdie studie het aangetoon dat KVPs voortdurend bewus moetbly dat hulle met mense werk wat gevoelens het en wat gesondheidshulp benodig. Dit is uiters belangrik om aan die behoeftesvan ’n terapeutiese omgewing te voorsien, ten einde ’n kwaliteit, omvattende diens aan die gemeenskap te lewer.

M.Cur. (Nursing Science) / The need for improved nursing leadership. especially in the nursing service situation, within an ethnicheterogenous nursing society demands appropriate leadership development to meet the needs of dynamic health care delivery. Nursing leadership from an ethnographic perspective has not been researched in this country. Hence, the views of senior black professional nurses, within a particular research context (operating theater department), have been explored in relation to the influence of their occupational life histories on their particular views. The results have been controlled with an extensive literature review...

A Research Report submitted in partial fulfilment of a Master of Arts in Industrial Sociology by coursework and Research Report. Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand. 15 March 2016 / The aim of this study is to understand the experiences of male nurses as they work in women-dominated workplace. The focus of other studies has been on: the ‘glass escalator’ and the hidden advantages for men in the so called ‘female’ professions; masculinity at work; the experiences of men in female dominated occupations and the experiences of men in caring professions. In South Africa, many studies on masculinity have been carried out that focus on the gender issues of southern Africa such as, causes and prevention of intimate partner violence; young men and the construction of masculinity, implications for HIV/AIDS, conflict, and violence; contemporary masculinities particularly the gendered cultural politics and hegemonic masculinities/masculinity in South African: culture, power and gender politics. But there is a dearth of literature on the issue of men in gender concentrated occupations, like nursing, in South Africa. This study seeks to fill the gap in understanding of how South African men experience their masculine gender identity in the context of engaging in work which is supposedly feminine by employing a qualitative, semi-structured interview approach of 15 male nurses of a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. This study argues that male nurses tend to portray hegemonic masculinity as their gender identity is simultaneously being configured, misconfigured and reconfigured in the workplace. / MT2017

Thesis ( M.Cur.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence professional nurses’ time management at Mankweng Hospital campus, a tertiary hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The objectives of this study were to identify and describe factors that influence professional nurses’ time management at a tertiary hospital campus and describe the recommendations on effective time management at a tertiary hospital campus to improve quality of patient care. A quantitative research method was used in this study to describe factors that influence professional nurses’ time management. Data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that professional nurses were unable to manage time due to interruptions in between work performance, and this affected their productivity. The study recommended there is a need for professional nurses to attend in-service education related to management of time.

Text in Afrikaans / 'n Opname is onder geregistreerde verpleegkundiges in diens van plaaslike besture onderneem met die doel om 'n perspektief op die gehalte van hul werkslewe te verkry, faktore te identifiseer wat hulle motiveer om 'n loopbaan in plaaslike besture te kies en die faktore te identifiseer wat werkstevredenheid positief /negatief be"lnvloed. Ontleding van die data het aangedui dat negatiewe faktore in die werkslewe soos onder andere die gebrek aan deelname in besluitneming en beperkte loopbaangeleenthede werksontevredenheid tot gevolg kan he. Positiewe faktore soos die geleentheid om gereelde diensure te werk en die status wat geregistreerde verpleegkundiges in die gemeenskap geniet, bevorder werkstevredenheid. Dit is hoofsaaklik hul belangstelling in primere gesondheidsorg en die geleentheid om gereelde diensure te werk wat geregistreerde verpleegkundiges motiveer om 'n loopbaan in plaaslike besture te kies. Aanbevelings om die kwaliteit van die werkslewe van geregistreerde verpleegkundiges te verbeter en werkstevredenheid te bevorder, is geformuleer. / A survey was undertaken among registered nurses in the service of local authorities to obtain a perspective on the quality of their worklife, to identify factors that influence registered nurses in local authorities and to identify those factors that influence the quality of the worklife and job satisfaction positively /negatively. Analysis of the data indicated that negative factors in the worklife such as limited participation in decision-making and limited career opportunities could lead to dissatisfaction in the work situation. Positive factors such as the ability to work regular hours and the status of registered nurses in the community promote job satisfaction. It is mainly their interest in primary health care and the opportunity to work regular hours of duty, that motivate registered nurses to choose a career in local authorities. Recommendations to improve the quality of the worklife of registered nurses and to promote job satisfaction were formulated. / Nursing Science / M.A. (Verpleegkunde)

M.Cur (Professional Nursing) / This study of patient acuity level plans (PALP) to determine nursing levels for in-patients units was carried out by means of an exploratory, descriptive instrumental study within the context of a nursing situation with the literature study serving as background, a patient acuity level plan (PALP) was designed, according to accepted criteria, to find data on which to base post determination for nursing staff. This descriptive, instrumental study was done at a private research hospital in Johannesburg where all the patients and nursing staff (first- as welI as second-in-command) were involved. The patient acuity level plan (PALP) -instrument was designed by the researcher, and under supervision of the researcher it was implemented in seven nursing units in the hospital. (The instrument proved to be highly reliable i. e. 0,999). The difference between nursing post determination as recommended and determined by PALP, and nursing post determination as determined by means of a pragmatic subjective approach by the nursing service manager of the, hospital proved to be statistically insignificant. The PALP instrument showed, however, that more nursing staff were needed in four of the seven units. The quality of the nursing was not studied nor was a productivity study carried out. The grand total difference between the recommended and actual nursing hours needed for all the nursing units shows a statistically significant difference (p = 0,0001) on a 1% significance level. This instrument could also positively contribute towards a more cost-effective post determination in nursing.

M.Cur. (Professional Nursing Science: Nursing Management) / The history of nursing focuses almost exclusively on a female-dominated profession, created with the assumption that such a role is inherently natural to women only. Yet, men have worked as nurses since the profession’s infancy, 250 BC, but their contributions seem to be unnoticed and underrepresented. Male nurses ascribe to a minority status within the nursing profession, with only 6.8% currently registered with the South African Nursing Council. Men who enter the nursing profession will fall victim to prejudice, stereotyping, role strain and isolation (often referred to as the islands in nursing). International literature provided significant evidence that men are well served with nursing as a career. It is unclear how South African male professional nurses experience nursing as a career in the light of the deterring factors mentioned previously. The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was to explore and describe the experiences of male professional nurses regarding nursing as a career in a private hospital in Johannesburg in order to develop strategies to support them in their career. The target population consisted of male professional nurses working in all disciplines in the private hospital. A purposive sampling technique was used. Data were collected by means of four (4) in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews, five (5) naïve sketches and field notes until data saturation was obtained. Data analysis was done by following Tesch’s open coding strategy (Creswell, 2013:158). The data obtained was incorporated into existing literature during the conceptualisation phase of this study. Trustworthiness of the study was ensured by employing the model promulgated by Denzin & Lincoln (2005:290 – 326), focussing on credibility, transferability, conformability, dependability and authenticity. The principles of ethical considerations, as suggested by Dhai & McQuoid-Mason (2010:14 – 15) pertaining to privacy, confidentiality, anonymity, informed consent and beneficence were applied in this study.

M.Cur. (Nursing Education) / Within the formal teaching context of a nursing college it is essential that accountable basic professional preparation be offered to provide a comprehensive and fruitful feeding ground for the adolescent student nurse's development into an independent, professional practitioner with specific personal attributes. In her quest for knowledge and development the young, inexperienced nurse has a need for support. Meaningful support implies a concerted effort and involvement with the student on the part of the support givers. At a nursing college, from within a nursing didactic perspective, the support givers should focus on the nursing student as a unique individual in her totality. Opportunities should therefore be available and accessible, so that the student nurse can achieve professional growth and personal self-realization. Furthermore she should be able to assert herself in both these roles. It is therefore essential to achieve a balance between the demands of nurse training and a full and rich personal life. It is the untiring support received by the student nurse that enables her to develop a sound attitude to life and the human nature. This boosts her morale and promotes the development of skills in interpersonal relationships. Research was conducted at a Transvaal nursing college with nine affiliated hospitals. The purpose of the study was to assess the need of student nurses for support from within a nursing didactic perspective and to establish certain guidelines for the implementation of a support system at a nursing college. With the aid of a questionnaire, a descriptive and searching survey was undertaken amongst first and third-year student nurses. A data analysis revealed that student nurses do experience a need for a support system. The planning, organisation and implementation of such a system at a nursing college should however be co-ordinated in a team context by all support givers. Clear guidelines with specific goals have been formulated for the implementation of such a support system.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / INTRODUCTION Globally, the use of alternative therapies by the public as well as healthcare workers has been widely documented. In South Africa, no studies have been done on alternative therapies specifically related to nurses. The vast amount of media attention with regards to alternative therapies related to the positive and negative outcomes has sparked major interest in this topic. The aim of the study was to determine the perceptions of professional nurses at nine hospitals within the uMgungundlovu District, South Africa, towards alternative therapies in a nursing context. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The objectives of the study were to determine the professional nurses’ perceptions as well as knowledge of alternative therapies. The possible barriers in providing alternative therapies in nursing practice was also explored in order to make recommendations to guide professional nurses with regard to alternative therapies in patient care. METHODOLOGY A quantitative exploratory research approach underpinned this study. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain information from professional nurses who had consented to participate. The total population of professional nurses was 1218. A total of 616 questionnaires were distributed to participants at the nine participating hospitals. Three hundred and eighty six (386) questionnaires were returned, which resulted in a 63% response rate. FINDINGS It was evident from the data that professional nurses used various forms of alternative therapies. The results revealed that almost 69% (n=265) used prayer/spiritual healing, followed by 53.9% (n=207) who used nutritional supplements, whilst 51.9% (n=199) used music therapy. Participants rated their satisfaction on the information received regarding alternative therapies in nursing education as follows: prayer/spiritual healing 71.1% (n=271), nutritional supplements 71.7% (n=273), music therapy 57.9% (n=220), massage therapy 46.7% (n=216) and support groups 80.3% (n=306). About two thirds (n=272) felt that alternative therapies was beneficial rather than a threat to patient’s health. However, 60% (n=229) agreed that the use of alternative therapies that were not tested in a scientific manner should be discouraged. More than 80% (n=313) of the sample thought that health professionals should have the ability to advise patients in the clinical setting about the most commonly used alternative therapies. More than half of the sample (n=254) stated that they did encounter patients in the clinical setting who enquired about alternative therapies. Only 39.6% (n=153) stated that they felt confident to advise patients about alternative therapies, whilst 26.7% (n=103) stated that they were unable to do so. As the evidence base for the use of alternative therapies grows, so too does the demand increases for the integration of alternative therapies in nursing education. Nurses being the patient’s advocate need to be well versed regarding the use and safety aspects of alternative therapies. / M