The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of nurse educators in Limpopo Province regarding their empowerment. The researcher conducted a quantitative descriptive-correlative research design to describe the perceptions of nurse educators in Limpopo Province regarding their empowerment. Laschinger's Integrated Model of Nurse/Patient Empowerment deduced from Kanter's Theory of Structural Power in organisations and Spreitzer's Psychological Empowerment Theory guided the construction of the data collection instrument. Data collection was carried out using a self-designed structured questionnaire. The population comprised all nurse educators in Nursing Education Institutions in Limpopo Province. The Ethics Committee of the Department of Health in Limpopo Province granted permission to conduct the research in the Limpopo Province. Non-probability convenience sampling was applied to obtain the participant sample for the study. The study shed light on important aspects of nurse educators' perception of their empowerment. The findings demonstrated that nurse educators perceived the concept of empowerment differently. The most incorrect perception of empowerment was that empowerment entailed paternalism rather than democratic (n=73; f=43;58.9%) and that it involved alienation rather than being inclusive, also at 58.9%. The total average scores were of concern to the researcher. The results of respondents' experience of structural empowerment varied as only 0.9%(f=1) did not indicate whether they agreed or disagreed that structural empowerment existed at the NEIs. 40.4% (f=44) indicated/agreed to have experienced psychological empowerment while 57.8% (f=63) have not experienced psychological empowerment. The findings related to association amongst the constructs indicated that gender was not associated with structural empowerment as well as psychological empowerment (p-value less than 0.05). There was no association between the highest qualification and structural empowerment (50.5% (f=55). However, 57% (f=63) agreed that there was an association between the highest qualification and psychological empowerment of respondents. The respondents disagreed that years of teaching experience (50.5% (f=55) was associated with structural empowerment, while 48.6% (f=53) believed it existed. The respondents indicated that no association existed between the campus they were placed at and structural empowerment (50.9% (f=55) while 57.8% (f=62) agreed that the campus placement was associated with structural empowerment as well as being associated with psychological empowerment at 56.5% (f=61). The discipline in which the nurse educators were teaching was not associated with either their structural empowerment (p=843 more than p=0.05) or their psychological empowerment at p=0.955 more than p=0.005). The respondents agreed that the discipline they taught was associated with their psychological empowerment at 55.9% (f=57); however, no statistically significant association existed at p-value 0.665 more than p-value 0.005. As the results indicated, the concept of empowerment yielded various perceptions of nurse educators. The results demonstrated the necessity to develop empowerment programmes for nurse educators at the NEIs. / Maikemišetso a dinyakišiso tše e be e le go hlalosa maikutlo a bafahluši ba baoki mo Profentshing ya Limpopo mabapi le ka fao ba boning matlafatšo ya bona. Go šomišitšwe motheo was hlaloso-kamano go hwetša maikutlo a mafahluši ba baoki. Dinyakišišo di be di ithekgilwe ka kgopolo-kgolo ya Laschinger ya matlafatšo ya balwetši, a e tsere go tšwa kgopolong-kgolo ya Kanter ya matlafatšo mo mešomong le matlafatšo ya megopolo ya go ngwalwa ke Spreitzer. Dikgopolo-kgolo tše di šomišitšwe go aga/dira gore monyakišiši a kgone go hwetša maikutlo a mafahloši ba baoki mo kholetšheng ya baoki. Dinyakišišo tše di itheilwe godimo ga mafahloši ba baoki ka moka mo kholetšheng ya baoki ya profense ya Limpopo. Komiti ya maitshwaro a mabotse mo Lefapheng la Maphelo e file monyakišiši tumelelo ya go dira porotšeke ye. Porotšeke ye e laiditše seemo sa matlafatšo ya mafahluši ba baoki mo porofentsheng ya Limpopo. Dipoelo tša dinyakišišo tše di bontšhitše gore mafahluši ba baoki ma na le maikutlo a a fapaneng mabapi le matlafatšo ya bona. Seo se sa kgotsofatšeng ke gore bafahlušhi ba baoki ba (n=73; f=43;58.9%) ga ba laetša maikutlo a a nyakegang ka gore ba bontšhitše gore matlafatšo mo kholetšeng ya baoki ke kgateleo go na le gore ke temokerasi. Mafahluši ba 58.9% ba rile matlafatšo ke go bea motho thoko bakeng sa go dumela polelo ya maikutlo a lokologilego. Taba ye ke yona e tshwentsego monyakisisi. Dipoelo di bontšhitse gore palo ya bafahlušhi ba baoki e lego 0.9% (f=1) ga se e dumele goba go gana gore go na le matlafatšo mo ba šomago. Mafahluši ba 40.4% (f=44) ba bontshitše gore ba bone gore go na le matlafatšo ba mogopolo mola ba 57.8% (f=63) ba bontšhitše gore gab a ikwa ba matlafaditšwe mogopolong. Dipoelo di bontšha gape gore ga go na kamano magareng ga bong le matlafatšo ya mo mošomong. Gape, ga gona matlafatšo magareng ga go rutega le matlafatšo mo mošomong (50.5% (f=55). Ka go le lengwe, mafahluši ba baoki ba 57% (f=63) ba dumetše gore gona le kamano magareng ga go rutega le mafatšo ya mogopolo. Palo ba bona e lego (50.5% (f=55) e bontšhitše gore gona kamano ya matlafatšo le maitemogelo mola ba (48.6% (f=53) bas a kwane le kgopolo ya gore gona le kamano / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

DNUR / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / See the attached abstract below

Includes bibliographical references: leaves 255-277 / Self-leadership has emerged as a leadership style that can be utilised to achieve successful performance for the individual and the organisation, prompting the question: What can be done to facilitate self-leadership within nurse educators in nursing education institutions? The purpose of this exploratory, descriptive sequential mixed-methods study was to understand the self-leadership within nurse educators in order to develop guidelines that could facilitate their self-leadership. The integrative literature review, qualitative and quantitative data were integrated and used to develop and validate guidelines that could facilitate self-leadership in nurse educators. Phase 1 (subphase 1) consisted of an integrative literature review that explored and described the concept of self-leadership in nurse educators. In Phase 1 (subphase 2), semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with purposively selected nurse educators from three sampling units, namely a private nursing school, nursing college and university-based nursing departments in two of the nine provinces in South Africa to explore the nurse educators’ perception of their self-leadership, and how self-leadership could be facilitated in a nursing education institution. Phase 2 of the study entailed developing a structured questionnaire based on the findings of Phase 1. In Phase 2, quantitative data were collected from nurse educators appointed at the remaining nursing education institutions in the two provinces which were not selected for the qualitative phase of the study. This phase was aimed at determining and describing the nurse educators’ (n=265) perceptions on their self-leadership practices in a nursing education institution, using a selfadministered questionnaire. For the integrative literature review, the method of data analysis as outlined by Miles and Huberman was used (Whittemore & Knafl 2005:550– 552). The qualitative data were analysed according to Tesch’s protocol of data analysis. The themes that emerged were perceptions of self-leadership in nurse educators; engagement in self-leadership activities; motivational factors in self-leadership; and facilitation of self-leadership in nurse educators. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods (SPSS version 25). The participants gave their perceptions on 11 composite constructs. Nurse educators agreed the most on natural reward, intrinsic motivation, role modelling and shared leadership but agreed less with management support and positive self-talk. To establish rigour, the researcher utilised diverse empirical and theoretical sources as data sources, and applied strategies to ensure trustworthiness and performed validity and reliability tests. The findings of both Phase 1 and 2 were integrated to develop and validate guidelines to facilitate the self-leadership in nurse educators. Twelve guidelines were developed and were validated by field experts. The guidelines propose recommendations for nurse educators and the management of the nursing education institution, as well as other associated stakeholders such as SANC and government. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The purpose of midwifery nursing education is to prepare midwives who are fully qualified to provide high-quality, evidence-based mother and child health care services. A quantitative descriptive explorative design was used to identify and explore midwifery students’ experiences of clinical teaching at Sovenga Campus, (Limpopo College of Nursing), Limpopo province. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The research sample consisted of fifty (50) midwifery students from Sovenga Campus. Ethical principles were adhered to. Validity and reliability were maintained. The findings showed that learning opportunities are being utilised and clinical accompaniment by tutors has improved. The findings indicated that clinical teaching in midwifery units does not include implementation of the maternity guidelines and protocols’ being used .A recommendation was that tutors be included in student orientation and the planning of monthly unit in-service programmes. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Gastric residual volume (GRV) is a clinical assessment to evaluate gastric emptying and enteral feeding tolerance. Factors such as the tube size, tube material, tube port configuration, placement of the tube in the gastric fluid, the amount of fluid and person completing the assessment may influence the accuracy of residual volume assessment. Little attention has been paid to assessing the accuracy of GRV measurement when the actual volume being aspirated is known, and no studies have compared the accuracy in obtaining RV using the three different techniques reported in the literature that are used to obtain aspirate in practice (syringe, suction, and gravity drainage). This in vitro study evaluated three different methods for aspirating feeding formula through two different tube sizes (10 Fr [small] and 18 Fr [large]), tube materials (polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane), using four levels of nursing experience (student, novice, experienced and expert) blinded to the five fixed fluid volumes of feeding formula in a simulated stomach, to determine if the RV can be accurately obtained. The study design consisted of a 3x2x2x4x5 completely randomized factorial ANOVA (with a total of 240 cells) and 479 RV assessments were made by the four nurse participants. All three methods (syringe, suction and gravity) used to aspirate RV did not perform substantially well in aspirating fluid, and on average, the methods were able to aspirate about 50% of the volume available. The syringe and suction techniques were comparable and produced higher proportions of RVs, although the interrater reliability of RV assessment was better with the syringe method. The gravity technique generally performed poorly. Overall, the polyvinyl chloride material and smaller tubes were associated with higher RV assessments. RV assessment is a variable assessment and the three methods did not perform well in this in vitro study. These findings should be further explored and confirmed using larger samples. This knowledge will be important in establishing the best technique for assessing RV to maximize EN delivery in practice and will contribute to future research to test strategies to optimize EN intake in critically ill patients.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Medication administration error remains a leading cause of preventable death. A gap exists in understanding attentional dynamics, such as nurse situation awareness (SA) while managing interruptions during medication administration. The aim was to describe SA during medication administration and interruption handling strategies. A crosssectional, descriptive design was used. Cognitive task analysis (CTA) methods informed analysis of 230 interruptions. Themes were analyzed by SA level. The nature of the stimuli noticed emerged as a Level 1 theme, in contrast to themes of uncertainty, relevance, and expectations (Level 2 themes). Projected or anticipated interventions (Level 3 themes) reflected workload balance between team and patient foregrounds. The prevalence of cognitive time-sharing during the medication administration process was significant or may be remarkable. Findings substantiated the importance of the concept of SA within nursing as well as the contribution of CTA in understanding the cognitive work of nursing during medication administration.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Lack of presence in online courses can result in perceived isolation leading to student dissatisfaction with the learning experience. The purpose of this study was to measure nursing students' perceived extent of teaching, social and cognitive presence and course satisfaction in an online undergraduate nursing course, and whether relationships and associations existed between the three presences, course satisfaction, student demographic, academic, and technology variables, and selected instructional strategies. The Community of Inquiry theory was the framework used in this descriptive correlational study of RN-BSN students (n= 76). Variables were measured using the Community of Inquiry Survey and the Perceived Student Satisfaction Scale instruments, and a researcher developed survey. Findings indicated students' perceived teaching and cognitive presence were present to a greater extent than social presence. Significant positive correlations (p < .01) were found between teaching and cognitive presence (r =.79), cognitive and social presence (r =.64), teaching and social presence (r =.52), satisfaction and the teaching (r =.77), social (r =.63), and cognitive (r =.52) presences. There were no significant findings associated with age, ethnicity, race, number of online courses taken, expected course grade or GPA and perceptions of the three presences and course satisfaction. There was a significant difference (p ≤ .05) with gender and perceived social presence with male students reporting stronger levels. Students experiencing course technology difficulties reported significantly (p ≤ .05) lower perceptions of teaching presence than those experiencing no difficulty. Significant differences (p ≤ .05) were found between specific course instructional strategies and each presence and course satisfaction. The findings provide faculty with an understanding of online course management and teaching/learning strategies that may increase students' perceptions of presence in online courses and improve student satisfaction with online learning.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Factor H is a newly identified phenomenon which describes a constellation of attributes of the new graduate nurse reflecting personality traits, intellectual abilities, and clinical judgment. In a previous pilot study conducted by this researcher nurse managers and experienced Registered Nurse (RN) preceptors described characteristics demonstrated by new graduate nurses demonstrating Factor H and the new graduate nurse’s ability to transition quickly and successfully into the RN role in the acute care environment. There is currently no instrument available to measure this phenomenon. The specific aim of this research was to develop and psychometrically test a scale designed to identify the presence of attributes of Factor H in the new graduate nurse. The Sims Factor H Assessment Scale (SFHAS) was developed and piloted with a sample of one hundred one new graduate nurses within three months of completing the their nursing program at one of three nursing schools in central and south central Indiana. Evidence of content validity was demonstrated through the use of the Content Validity Index conducted with a panel of four experts. Evidence of face validity was demonstrated through interviews with a group of new graduate nurses, nurse managers, and experienced RN preceptors. Principle Axis Factoring with Varimax rotation was used to demonstrate evidence of construct validity and the scale was found to have a single component which was identified as nursing personality. Evidence of criterion-related validity was demonstrated utilizing analysis of the SFHAS and the criterion scale for personality traits (NEO-FFI). Evidence of internal consistency reliability was demonstrated through analysis of inter-item correlations, Cronbach’s coefficient correlations, and item-total correlations. Test re-test reliability using interclass correlation was also conducted to demonstrate stability of the scale. The SFHAS was found to be reflective of nursing personality and not general mental ability or clinical judgment. Use of the SFHAS will allow organizations to evaluate the nursing personality of the new graduate nurse for fit into the work environment. Further study is recommended to gain clarity around the attributes which support successful transition of the new graduate nurse into practice in the acute care environment, also known as Factor H.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore the perception of the R48 trained professional nurses with regard to implementation of the EPI in Tshwane District Gauteng Province. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative research design was followed. Data were collected through in-depth qualitative interviews from a purposive sample of eight (8) R48 trained professional nurses. Eight steps of Tech’s inductive, descriptive open coding technique was followed. FINDINGS: The study established that EPI programme is important in R48 training. The implementation of integrated approach was viewed as beneficial leading to the reduction of diseases. The successful implementation would be more beneficial if it is consistently coupled with support from programme managers and regular in-service on up-dates of new vaccines and technologies are introduced within the programme / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Background: This study derived from the concerns raised by nurse educators, clinical preceptors, and some nursing students in public nursing colleges in Gauteng following the implementation of the provincial selection criteria and processes. While these criteria could be seen as a means of standardising the admission into the Basic Nursing Diploma Programme at public nursing colleges, anecdotal reports from nurses in education institutions and clinical practices indicated a lack of professionalism, high attrition rates among these cohorts of students. The researcher believed that any meaningful selection criteria and processes should be on the views expressed by people who have been through the process as students or educators. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the selection criteria and processes followed by nursing colleges in the Gauteng Province to admit students into Basic Nursing Diploma Programme with the view of proposing selection criteria and processes that would secure the admission of the best candidates to this programme in public nursing colleges in Gauteng Province. Design: Quantitative descriptive survey design with self-completion questionnaire was used to generate data for this study. Out of 571 questionnaires distributed, 492 were returned and considered for analysis. Summary descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS version 21. Results: Four of the 13 items analysed were viewed by more than 70% of the respondents as less important and irrelevant to the selection of best candidates for nursing professional education. Proposal for changes supported by the rational for these changes were made by the respondents. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study proposed a framework that could guide the provincial authority in developing admission criteria that will ensure the selection of best candidates for Basic Diploma Nursing Programme in the province. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)