Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie beskrywende, verkennende en kontekstuele studie is ondersoek gedoen na redes waarom opgeleide intensiewesorgverpleegkundiges uit die intensiewesorgomgewing bedank en buite die intensiewesorgomgewing werk in die noordelike gedeelte van Gauteng. Doelwitte vir die studie was om die faktore te bepaal wat bydra tot die bedanking uit die intensiewesorgeenheid, die identifisering van die nie-verpleegkundige beroepe wat tans beoefen word en die bepaling van die faktore wat bydra tot die beoefening van 'n nie-verpleegkundige beroep. Die data is ingesamel deur middel van 'n vraelys wat voltooi is deur opgeleide intensiewesorgverpleegkundiges wat bedank het uit die intensiewesorgomgewing. Die sneeubalsteekproeftegniek is gebruik. Die data-analise het getoon dat redes vir bedanking uit die intensiewesorgomgewing die volgende insluit: onvoldoende salarisse, te veel stres en emosionele uitputting, ongerieflike werkure, personeeltekort en onbevredigende werkomstandighede. Daar is bevind dat verpleeg-sessiewerk steeds deur die respondente gedoen word, al werk hulle huidig voltyds buite die intensiewesorgomgewing. / In this exploratory, descriptive and contextual study research has been done to establish the reasons why intensive care nursing personnel resign from the intensive care environment in the northern Gauteng region. The researcher aimed to establish the factors that contributed to the resignations from the intensive care environment, to identify the non-nursing careers currently being practised by former intensive care nursing staff and to establish the factors that influenced them to practice non-nursing careers. The data was collected through questionnaires completed by former intensive care nursing personnel. The snowball test sampling method has been used. Data analysis has shown the following to be inter alia the reasons for the resignations from the intensive care environment: insufficient income, exhaustion and emotional stress, inconvenient working hours, staff shortages and unsatisfactory working conditions. One finding is that respondents are still doing nursing session work although they are working full-time in nonnursing capacities. / Health Studies / M.A. (Verpleegkunde)

Text in Afrikaans / Die effek van die klient-verpleegkundige-verhoudings op kliente se keuse en volgehoue gebruik van kontraseptiewe metodes het tot op hede baie min aandag geniet. Die doel van hierdie studie was 'n ondersoek na die ongetroude klient se persepsie van die verpleegkundige se houding. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 99 kliente (tussen die ouderdomme van 15 en 50 jaar) wat die betrokke reproduktiewegesondheidsklinieke in die Kaapse Metropool besoek het. Die eerste 20 kliente wat die kliniek besoek het, is genader om 'n vraelys in te vul. Hierdie studie toon 'n algehele positiwiteit, naamlik 58,3% teenoor die houding van geregistreerde verpleegkundiges. Die meerderheid van die kliente (88,0%) het aangedui dat hulle weer die kliniek sal besoek wat dus die kliente se tevredenheid toon. / The effect of the client-registered nurse relationship on clients' choice and continuous use of contraceptive methods has until now received very little attention. The purpose of this study was to explore unmarried clients' perception of the attitude of the registered nurse. The sample existed of 99 clients (between the ages of 15 and 50 years) who visited the relevant reproductive health clinics in the Cape Metropole. The first 20 clients who visited the clinic were approached to complete a questionnaire. This study shows an overall positivity of 58,3% with regard to the attitude of registered nurses. Most of the clients (88,0%) indicated that they would visit the clinic again, which indicate their satisfaction. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The main objective of the thesis was ascertaining of realization of the Nursing Care Concept issued by the Ministry of Health in 2004, in Czech hospitals. To achieve results a quantitative research method was used. While collecting data we used a questioning method, by means of questionnaires. The questionnaires were intended for staff nurses/deputies of nursing care in Czech hospitals. As a research sample we chose hospitals in the Czech Republic which provide acute ward (bed) care. The found out data should clarify what is the actual status of realization of the Nursing Care Concept in Czech hospitals.

One of the key factors influencing the quality of nursing care practice is the research applied within nursing processes. Therefore it is vital for theory to be closely linked with practice. To perform research and apply its results in practice is one of the conditions which lead to the development of evidence-based practice. Research applied in nursing care is a key strategy resulting into the unification of the human educational and scientific aspects of nursing care. This thesis focuses on the nursing care research and its application in practice together with the role of senior nurses within this process. The aim was to investigate whether and how the nurses are actually involved in nursing care research plus to examine whether ordinary nurses are willing to accept any changes associated with the introduction of the results of nursing care research into nursing practice. Besides this, also to determine whether nurses are encouraged to implement the results of nursing research into nursing practice, to observe nursing care deputies and leading nurses experience in respect to the implementation of the nursing care research results into practice in different types of hospitals plus to determine whether and how nurses introduce the results of nursing care research into practice. The final objective of this thesis was to determine whether the head nurses manage to introduce the results of the nursing care research into their nursing practice. In quantitative survey performed, the research sample consisted of nurses who work in inpatient departments at clinics and regional hospitals - public limited companies of the Central, South, West Bohemia, and Prague. 350 questionnaires were distributed. The research involved 186 questionnaires. Qualitative research data collection involved 12 respondents, out of which there were 3 head sisters employed at clinics and 3 nursing care deputies plus 3 head nurses from regional hospitals - public limited companies. All interviews were entirely anonymous. According to the survey findings, most of the nurses replied that they are not actively involved in the nursing care research. Nurses generally follow published results of nursing care research, but on the other hand, it is obvious, that they follow nursing care research outcomes randomly and without particular focus. Nurses not only that they refuse any changes, but they do not see any benefits of the implementation of research findings into the nursing care practice. The qualitative survey performed met objectives and all questions were answered. Any of the responses can serve for further quantitative research, especially when the results of the implementation of the nursing care research into practice at clinics and regional hospitals are compared.

O preparo e a administração de medicamento permanecem sendo um ponto crítico na prestação de uma assistência de qualidade para os indivíduos. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o efeito da intervenção educativa com profissionais de enfermagem acerca da segurança do paciente na administração de medicamentos injetáveis em um Hospital Público de Porto Alegre. A presente pesquisa teve uma abordagem prospectiva, com delineamento quase-experimental, antes e depois, para detectar e avaliar os não erros e erros durante o preparo e a administração de medicamentos.Os sujeitos foram auxiliares e técnicos de enfermagem, que atuavam na unidade de tratamento intensivo adulto com 59 leitos e em três unidades de internação (clínicas e cirúrgica). O estudo foi desenvolvido em quatro fases: observação não participante das áreas físicas de preparo de medicamento (I), observação não participante do processo de preparo e administração (II), grupos focais com parte dos sujeitos (III), e nova observação não participante (IV). Foram totalizadas 776 observações não participantes nas duas etapas (sendo 427 na II e 349 na fase IV). Cada observação foi correspondente ao preparo e administração de um medicamento injetável por trabalhador, durante o seu turno de trabalho. Realizaram-se no mínimo cinco observações de preparo de medicamentos por sujeito, com 74 sujeitos na etapa II e 61 auxiliares ou técnicos de enfermagem participantes na etapa IV. Na etapa III, a metade dos sujeitos foi convidada a participar dos grupos focais, no entanto, apenas 25 compareceram, formando o grupo intervenção e na IV etapa, os sujeitos da etapa II foram novamente convidados. Dos sujeitos, 81,1% foram do sexo feminino e 67,5% trabalhava apenas nessa instituição. A principal via de administração dos medicamentos injetáveis foi à intravenosa (63,7%, fase II e 58% fase IV). A pesquisa demonstrou consolidação dos pontos positivos da administração dos medicamentos, que foram evidenciados nas duas fases, onde três dos “nove certos” (paciente, medicamento e via certa) mantiveram 100% de execuções corretas pelos sujeitos pesquisados. Como também 99,7% das doses dos medicamentos foram administradas corretamente na quarta fase do estudo. Destacamos que a pesquisa apresentou um dado preocupante, no sentido de constatar que durante o processo de preparo e administração do medicamento ocorreram no mínimo dois erros potenciais de medicação (um no preparo e outro na administração), evidenciando a complexidade desse cuidado assistencial, tendo em vista as 32 etapas a serem realizadas para a segurança do paciente. Assim concluímos que o erro de medicação é a consequência, e não a causa dos problemas assistenciais, e que a abordagem de prevenção do erro foi sempre reativa. Contudo, o erro no preparo e administração de medicamentos injetáveis é decorrente de um conjunto de fatores que envolvem desde a área física inadequada, a falta de supervisão e controle, até o desconhecimento e em consequência a imprudência durante a execução das atividades. Dessa forma, a intervenção educativa por meio de grupos focais com os profissionais de enfermagem acerca de medidas de segurança ao paciente na administração de medicamentos auxiliou a reflexão dos sujeitos sobre as administrações medicamentosas injetáveis com segurança. / The preparation and administration of medicines remains a critical issue in providing quality care to individuals. This study aims to analyze the effect of educational intervention with nursing professionals regarding patient safety in the administration of injectable drugs in a public hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. This research adopted a mixed, forward-looking approach, with a quasi-experimental design, in order to detect and evaluate errors and non-errors during preparation and administration of medications. Subjects were nursing auxiliaries and technicians who worked in the adult intensive care unit with 59 beds and three inpatient units (clinical and surgical). The study was developed in four phases: non-participant observation of the physical areas of medication preparation (I), non-participant observation of the preparation and administration process (II), focus groups with part of the subject (III), and new non-participant observation (IV). There have been 776 non-participant observations in total for both phases (being 427 in phase II and 349 in phase IV). Each observation was corresponding to the preparation and administration of an injectable drug per staff professional during their shift. At least five observations of medication preparation were carried out per subject, with 74 subjects in phase II and 61 auxiliary or technical nurses participating in phase IV. In phase III, half of the subjects were invited to participate in focus groups. However, only 25 attended them, forming the intervention group and, in phase IV, subjects from phase II were invited again. From the subjects, 81.1% were women and 67.5% worked only in that institution. The main route of administration of injectable drugs was intravenous (63.7% on phase II and 58% on phase IV). Research has demonstrated consolidation of the positive points of medication administration that were highlighted in the two phases, where three out of the nine rights (right patient, drug and via) kept 100% correct executions by researched subjects. Besides that, 99.7% of medication doses were properly administered in the fourth study phase. It is worth highlighting that the research presented worrying data, in the sense of verifying that the process of medication preparation and administration shows at least two medication potential error (one in preparation and in another administration), demonstrating the complexity of assistance care, in view of the 32 steps to be taken to patient safety. Therefore, we conclude that the medication error is a consequence, not the cause of healthcare problems, and the error prevention approach has always been reactive. However, the error in the preparation and administration of injectable drugs is due to a set of factors ranging from inadequate physical area to lack of supervision and control, knowledge and caution, and concern the implementation of activities. Thus educational intervention through focus groups with nursing professionals concerning patient safety measures in medication administration has helped in the reflection of the subjects regarding safe administration of injectable drug. / La preparación y la administración de fármacos sigue siendo un tema crítico en la prestación de una atención de calidad para las personas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el efecto de la intervención educativa con los profesionales de enfermería con relación a la seguridad del paciente en la administración de medicamentos inyectables en un hospital público de Porto Alegre. Esta investigación tuvo un enfoque prospectivo, casi-experimental, del tipo antes y después, para detectar y evaluar los no errores y errores durante la preparación y administración de medicamentos. Los sujetos fueron auxiliares de enfermería y técnicos que trabajaban en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos con 59 camas y tres unidades (clínicos y quirúrgicos). El estudio se realizó en cuatro fases: observación no participante de las áreas físicas de la preparación de la medicina (I), la observación no participante del proceso de preparación y administración (II), grupos de enfoque, como parte de los sujetos (III), y nueva observación no participante (IV). Fueron totalizaron 776 observaciones no participantes en dos etapas (con 427 en Segunda y 349 en fase IV). Cada observación era relevante para la preparación y administración de un producto inyectable por trabajador durante su turno. Había por lo menos cinco de preparación de medicamentos de observaciones por tema, con 74 sujetos en estadio II y 61 asistentes o técnicos de enfermería que participan en el paso IV. En la etapa III, la mitad de los sujetos fueron invitados a participar en grupos de enfoque, sin embargo, sólo 25 asistieron, formando el grupo de intervención y el estadio IV, las materias de la fase II se les preguntó de nuevo. De los sujetos, el 81,1% eran mujeres y el 67,5% trabajaba sólo en esa institución. La principal vía de administración de los medicamentos inyectables era intravenosa (63,7% en estadio II y el 58% en estadio IV). La investigación demostró la consolidación de los puntos positivos de la administración de los medicamentos, que se evidencia en dos fases, donde tres de los “nueve correctos (paciente, medicación y via correcta)” tuvieron 100% de realizaciones correctas entre los encuestados. Así como 99,7% de las dosis de medicación se administra correctamente en la cuarta fase del estudio. Hacemos hincapié en que la investigación presentó un dato preocupante, al ver que el proceso de preparación y administración de la droga tiene al menos dos errores potenciales de medicación (uno en preparación y en otro administración), que muestra la complejidad del cuidado asistencial, considerando los 32 pasos para realizarlo para garantizar la seguridad del paciente. Así llegamos a la conclusión de que el error de medicación es la consecuencia, no la causa de los problemas de bienestar y el enfoque de la prevención del error siempre ha sido reactiva. Sin embargo, el error en la preparación y administración de medicamentos inyectables se debe a una serie de factores que intervienen desde inadecuada área física, la falta de supervisión y control, a la desinformación y en consecuencia imprudencia na ejecución de las actividades. Por lo tanto la intervención educativa a través de grupos focales con profesionales de enfermería sobre las medidas de seguridad a la administración de la medicación al paciente ayudó a la reflexión de los sujetos en la inyección de las administraciones de medicamentos de forma segura.

O preparo e a administração de medicamento permanecem sendo um ponto crítico na prestação de uma assistência de qualidade para os indivíduos. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o efeito da intervenção educativa com profissionais de enfermagem acerca da segurança do paciente na administração de medicamentos injetáveis em um Hospital Público de Porto Alegre. A presente pesquisa teve uma abordagem prospectiva, com delineamento quase-experimental, antes e depois, para detectar e avaliar os não erros e erros durante o preparo e a administração de medicamentos.Os sujeitos foram auxiliares e técnicos de enfermagem, que atuavam na unidade de tratamento intensivo adulto com 59 leitos e em três unidades de internação (clínicas e cirúrgica). O estudo foi desenvolvido em quatro fases: observação não participante das áreas físicas de preparo de medicamento (I), observação não participante do processo de preparo e administração (II), grupos focais com parte dos sujeitos (III), e nova observação não participante (IV). Foram totalizadas 776 observações não participantes nas duas etapas (sendo 427 na II e 349 na fase IV). Cada observação foi correspondente ao preparo e administração de um medicamento injetável por trabalhador, durante o seu turno de trabalho. Realizaram-se no mínimo cinco observações de preparo de medicamentos por sujeito, com 74 sujeitos na etapa II e 61 auxiliares ou técnicos de enfermagem participantes na etapa IV. Na etapa III, a metade dos sujeitos foi convidada a participar dos grupos focais, no entanto, apenas 25 compareceram, formando o grupo intervenção e na IV etapa, os sujeitos da etapa II foram novamente convidados. Dos sujeitos, 81,1% foram do sexo feminino e 67,5% trabalhava apenas nessa instituição. A principal via de administração dos medicamentos injetáveis foi à intravenosa (63,7%, fase II e 58% fase IV). A pesquisa demonstrou consolidação dos pontos positivos da administração dos medicamentos, que foram evidenciados nas duas fases, onde três dos “nove certos” (paciente, medicamento e via certa) mantiveram 100% de execuções corretas pelos sujeitos pesquisados. Como também 99,7% das doses dos medicamentos foram administradas corretamente na quarta fase do estudo. Destacamos que a pesquisa apresentou um dado preocupante, no sentido de constatar que durante o processo de preparo e administração do medicamento ocorreram no mínimo dois erros potenciais de medicação (um no preparo e outro na administração), evidenciando a complexidade desse cuidado assistencial, tendo em vista as 32 etapas a serem realizadas para a segurança do paciente. Assim concluímos que o erro de medicação é a consequência, e não a causa dos problemas assistenciais, e que a abordagem de prevenção do erro foi sempre reativa. Contudo, o erro no preparo e administração de medicamentos injetáveis é decorrente de um conjunto de fatores que envolvem desde a área física inadequada, a falta de supervisão e controle, até o desconhecimento e em consequência a imprudência durante a execução das atividades. Dessa forma, a intervenção educativa por meio de grupos focais com os profissionais de enfermagem acerca de medidas de segurança ao paciente na administração de medicamentos auxiliou a reflexão dos sujeitos sobre as administrações medicamentosas injetáveis com segurança. / The preparation and administration of medicines remains a critical issue in providing quality care to individuals. This study aims to analyze the effect of educational intervention with nursing professionals regarding patient safety in the administration of injectable drugs in a public hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. This research adopted a mixed, forward-looking approach, with a quasi-experimental design, in order to detect and evaluate errors and non-errors during preparation and administration of medications. Subjects were nursing auxiliaries and technicians who worked in the adult intensive care unit with 59 beds and three inpatient units (clinical and surgical). The study was developed in four phases: non-participant observation of the physical areas of medication preparation (I), non-participant observation of the preparation and administration process (II), focus groups with part of the subject (III), and new non-participant observation (IV). There have been 776 non-participant observations in total for both phases (being 427 in phase II and 349 in phase IV). Each observation was corresponding to the preparation and administration of an injectable drug per staff professional during their shift. At least five observations of medication preparation were carried out per subject, with 74 subjects in phase II and 61 auxiliary or technical nurses participating in phase IV. In phase III, half of the subjects were invited to participate in focus groups. However, only 25 attended them, forming the intervention group and, in phase IV, subjects from phase II were invited again. From the subjects, 81.1% were women and 67.5% worked only in that institution. The main route of administration of injectable drugs was intravenous (63.7% on phase II and 58% on phase IV). Research has demonstrated consolidation of the positive points of medication administration that were highlighted in the two phases, where three out of the nine rights (right patient, drug and via) kept 100% correct executions by researched subjects. Besides that, 99.7% of medication doses were properly administered in the fourth study phase. It is worth highlighting that the research presented worrying data, in the sense of verifying that the process of medication preparation and administration shows at least two medication potential error (one in preparation and in another administration), demonstrating the complexity of assistance care, in view of the 32 steps to be taken to patient safety. Therefore, we conclude that the medication error is a consequence, not the cause of healthcare problems, and the error prevention approach has always been reactive. However, the error in the preparation and administration of injectable drugs is due to a set of factors ranging from inadequate physical area to lack of supervision and control, knowledge and caution, and concern the implementation of activities. Thus educational intervention through focus groups with nursing professionals concerning patient safety measures in medication administration has helped in the reflection of the subjects regarding safe administration of injectable drug. / La preparación y la administración de fármacos sigue siendo un tema crítico en la prestación de una atención de calidad para las personas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el efecto de la intervención educativa con los profesionales de enfermería con relación a la seguridad del paciente en la administración de medicamentos inyectables en un hospital público de Porto Alegre. Esta investigación tuvo un enfoque prospectivo, casi-experimental, del tipo antes y después, para detectar y evaluar los no errores y errores durante la preparación y administración de medicamentos. Los sujetos fueron auxiliares de enfermería y técnicos que trabajaban en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos con 59 camas y tres unidades (clínicos y quirúrgicos). El estudio se realizó en cuatro fases: observación no participante de las áreas físicas de la preparación de la medicina (I), la observación no participante del proceso de preparación y administración (II), grupos de enfoque, como parte de los sujetos (III), y nueva observación no participante (IV). Fueron totalizaron 776 observaciones no participantes en dos etapas (con 427 en Segunda y 349 en fase IV). Cada observación era relevante para la preparación y administración de un producto inyectable por trabajador durante su turno. Había por lo menos cinco de preparación de medicamentos de observaciones por tema, con 74 sujetos en estadio II y 61 asistentes o técnicos de enfermería que participan en el paso IV. En la etapa III, la mitad de los sujetos fueron invitados a participar en grupos de enfoque, sin embargo, sólo 25 asistieron, formando el grupo de intervención y el estadio IV, las materias de la fase II se les preguntó de nuevo. De los sujetos, el 81,1% eran mujeres y el 67,5% trabajaba sólo en esa institución. La principal vía de administración de los medicamentos inyectables era intravenosa (63,7% en estadio II y el 58% en estadio IV). La investigación demostró la consolidación de los puntos positivos de la administración de los medicamentos, que se evidencia en dos fases, donde tres de los “nueve correctos (paciente, medicación y via correcta)” tuvieron 100% de realizaciones correctas entre los encuestados. Así como 99,7% de las dosis de medicación se administra correctamente en la cuarta fase del estudio. Hacemos hincapié en que la investigación presentó un dato preocupante, al ver que el proceso de preparación y administración de la droga tiene al menos dos errores potenciales de medicación (uno en preparación y en otro administración), que muestra la complejidad del cuidado asistencial, considerando los 32 pasos para realizarlo para garantizar la seguridad del paciente. Así llegamos a la conclusión de que el error de medicación es la consecuencia, no la causa de los problemas de bienestar y el enfoque de la prevención del error siempre ha sido reactiva. Sin embargo, el error en la preparación y administración de medicamentos inyectables se debe a una serie de factores que intervienen desde inadecuada área física, la falta de supervisión y control, a la desinformación y en consecuencia imprudencia na ejecución de las actividades. Por lo tanto la intervención educativa a través de grupos focales con profesionales de enfermería sobre las medidas de seguridad a la administración de la medicación al paciente ayudó a la reflexión de los sujetos en la inyección de las administraciones de medicamentos de forma segura.

M.Cur. / The Rights of the Child are summarised in the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The Convention sets the basic rights of children for their survival, development and protection. The purpose of this research is to investigate the view of the Nursing staff working in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in a Private Clinic on the West Rand, regarding the rights of the child, and to describe the view of the Nursing staff regarding the rights of the child as applicable within the context of a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in a Private Clinic on the West Rand.

D.Cur. / South Africa is currently undergoing radical transformational changes in all facets of its society. This is an era immediately following the first democratic elections in the country. The new Government, the Government of National Unity (GNU) which is dominated by the African National Congress (ANC), has introduced what is known as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)(ANC, 1994), which seeks to redress disparities of the past. This programme has significant social, political and economical implications for the South African community. It proposes that statutory bodies and institutions should be rationalized and restructured to reflect the diversity of the South African people and should be better able to promote and protect the standards of health care and training. It aims to, inter alia, promote mental health and to increase the accessibility, quality and quantity of mental health support and counselling services. In line with this goal and based on problems that arise because of anxieties and fears that are inherent in change, the mental health of nurse educators and nursing students of a selected nursing college was investigated utilizing a qualitative, theory – generative design which is exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature. The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, in-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted individually with ten nurse educators and nine nursing students to explore and describe their experience of interaction with one another. Follow-up interviews were also conducted with some of the participants. Data was analysed using Tesch's method. Based on the results of the analysis, the major concept, understanding was identified as the essence of a model for constructive nurse educator - student interaction envisaged. In Phase 2, a theory -generative design was utilized to develop a constructive nurse educator - student interaction model, founded on a mental health approach. The identified concept was examined in existing writings to determine essential criteria of the concept. In addition, a model case was written in which the concept was constructed to the best of the researcher's understanding. Essential criteria of the concept were identified and a concept map was drawn to depict the essential criteria in relation to each other. The related concepts were identified and portrayed in a structural form. The visual model depicts nurse educators and nursing students who function as a family, as the recipients of activity, and the advanced psychiatric nurse practitioner, who facilitates their interaction, as the agent. By utilizing the deductive reasoning strategy, relationship statements were inferred from the model. Guidelines were described for the advanced psychiatric nurse practitioner with regard to all three phases, namely, the Interaction Initiation Phase, the Interaction Cohesiveness Phase and the Interaction Dissolution Phase, in terms of objectives, strategies and proposed activities.

M.Cur. / In this study a qualitative design which is explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature is followed. The objective of the study is three-fold: firstly, to explore and describe the opinions of members of the community about the reasons for the under-utilization of the Midwifery Obstetrical Unit ; secondly, to explore and describe the suggestions of the community for improving the utilization of the Midwifery Obstetrical Unit and, thirdly, to formulate intervention strategies for community nurses to improve the utilization of the MOU. Data was collected by means of focus group interviews, and was analysed using Tesch's method of data analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured by using the method of Guba and Lincoln. The participants in research were mothers who delivered their babies at the hospital, mothers who delivered their babies at the MOU, members of the Community Health Committee and MOU nurses.

M.Cur. / The purpose of the research study was to describe guidelines to improve the community health clinics as a learning context conducive to learning. The objectives of the study commenced by getting the perception of student nurses, community sisters and college tutors, to explore and describe the problems experienced in relation to community health clinics as a learning context for student nurses, especially when they are allocated for their clinical practicals to prepare them to become competent. The research design and method used, consisted of a qualitative approach to achieve the intended goal of the research study. The design was divided into two phases: Phase one consisted of a field/empirical study and phase two consisted of conceptualization. Phase one has three steps where each step indicates the research method, population and sampling, data collection and data analysis. Population and sampling for step I included all the fourth year students from a nursing college in Gauteng, who are in an educational programme leading to registration as a nurse (general, psychiatric and community) and midwife. Population and sampling for step II consisted of community sisters from ten community health clinics in the Southern Metropolitan Local Council. Population and sampling for step III consisted of community college tutors from a college in Gauteng; the sample size consisted of the whole population. In all the steps follow-up interviews were conducted to confirm the findings. To ensure trustworthiness Lincoln and Guba's (1985) model was implemented, and data analysis were according to Tesch's (1990 in Creswell, 1994:155) method, based on a qualitative approach. The major problems reflected in the research findings based on Step I, II, II indicate similarities and Step III only indicates some uniqueness. The conceptual framework was discussed, indicating a body of knowledge, based on the study and empirical findings from phase I, to give clear meaning and understanding regarding the research study. Problems from all the steps were used in an integrated manner as research findings and were compared with existing literature within the framework, to determine similarities and differences as literature control method. Guidelines were then formulated from phases I and II, to solve the indicated problems, based on the three different sample groups. Guidelines were supported by the conclusion statement from chapter four and the problem statement from chapter three. Essential actions were indicated for operationalisation. Ethical consideration was maintained throughout the research study. The study has been evaluated by means of positive and negative issues related to the actual research process. Recommendations related to nursing education, nursing practice and nursing research were indicated accordingly.