The overall purpose of this study was to explore and describe the factors that affect theory-practice integration of student nurses at a selected campus of a nursing college in the Limpopo Province. Quantitative, descriptive, explorative and cross-sectional designs were used to accomplish the objectives of the study. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires with a few open-ended questions. The respondents were student nurses (n=106) and nurse educators (n=9). The findings revealed that failure of biological and natural sciences subjects, the use of traditional teaching strategies, inadequate use of simulation laboratory, inadequate clinical supervision, a shortage of resources, nature of the assessment process, extent of interest in the subject (s) taught, inability to draw clinical experiences during theoretical teaching, overpopulation of student nurses in the clinical area, negative attitude of ward staff and differences between the simulated skills and the actual clinical procedures in the ward affect theory-practice integration. / M.A. (Health Studies) / Health Studies

The overall purpose of this study was to explore and describe the factors that affect theory-practice integration of student nurses at a selected campus of a nursing college in the Limpopo Province. Quantitative, descriptive, explorative and cross-sectional designs were used to accomplish the objectives of the study. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires with a few open-ended questions. The respondents were student nurses (n=106) and nurse educators (n=9). The findings revealed that failure of biological and natural sciences subjects, the use of traditional teaching strategies, inadequate use of simulation laboratory, inadequate clinical supervision, a shortage of resources, nature of the assessment process, extent of interest in the subject (s) taught, inability to draw clinical experiences during theoretical teaching, overpopulation of student nurses in the clinical area, negative attitude of ward staff and differences between the simulated skills and the actual clinical procedures in the ward affect theory-practice integration. / M.A. (Health Studies) / Health Studies

This study focused on nurses who work the night shift, and on some of the aspects of their lives. The objectives of the study were to identify and describe these experiences with specific reference to the physical, social and work-related effects.

Submitted in Fulfillment of the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Aim The aim of the study was to examine students’ perspectives regarding their learning in a community based undergraduate nursing programme at the Durban University of Technology in South Africa. Methodology A quantitative descriptive design was used to examine student nurses’ perspectives regarding their experiences in community-based education (CBE), with specific reference to perceived academic gains, local and global gains, intrapersonal gains and interpersonal gains. Hours spent by students outside their CBE schedule as well as most preferred clinical practice Participants included 203 undergraduate nursing students drawn from the 2010, 2011 and 2012 cohorts. A stratified random sampling technique was used. A modified 4-point Likert scale version of a questionnaire designed by Ibrahim (2010), which also comprised of open-ended questions for supportive qualitative information, was used to collect data. Analysis was done accomplished using SPSS Version 22 for the quantitative data and identification of themes for the supportive qualitative information. Results The study results revealed that students had benefited from CBE in all the four domains under study. Participants rated the impact of CBE on academic gains lowest ( ̅x = 3.09, SD = .38) with perceived impact of CBE on local and global gains rated highest ( ̅x = 3.33, SD = .38). The personal gains subscale was the second highly rated subscale with a mean of 3.27 (SD = .43), followed by the intrapersonal gains domain ( ̅x = 3.15, SD .48). No significant differences were found between groups on all the variables of interest. Furthermore, the results revealed that participants spent a varying number of hours outside of scheduled CBE placement. The majority of the participants spent 200 hours to 399 hours (n= 119) = 58.6% in the first semester and (n = 120) = 59% in the second semester. The majority (72%) of the participants indicated that their preferred clinical practice environment was Primary Health Care. / M

This study focused on nurses who work the night shift, and on some of the aspects of their lives. The objectives of the study were to identify and describe these experiences with specific reference to the physical, social and work-related effects.

Family planning services are rendered at no cost in all clinics in Mdantsane. Mdantsane is situated in the Eastern Cape and falls under Amathole District Municipality. The high rate of adolescent pregnancy in the area raises a question as to whether the family planning services are adequate. This issue reflects on the quality of family planning service delivery. According to Roux (1995:94), a quality service is a safe, easily available and readily acceptable service, delivered by well trained family planning personnel through well planned programmes. Aims and Objectives: To assess the quality of family planning service delivery by health providers to adolescents; determine the opinions of adolescents regarding accessibility, friendliness of staff, privacy, confidentiality, reproductive health information and resources at Mdantsane clinics from June to July 2009. Method: A questionnaire was designed to collect data. The questionnaire was administered on the adolescents utilizing the reproductive health services at eleven primary health clinics in Mdantsane. A sample consisting of 110 adolescent youth between 19 and 24 years was selected by using random sampling. A response of “yes” will indicate that the participant is satisfied with the specific item, while a response of “no” will indicate dissatisfaction with that item. A specially designed spreadsheet was developed to analyze the data. Data was analyzed by using the Microsoft Excel 2007 Version 6. Results: The results from this research study suggest that there is a definite need for improvement of adolescent reproductive health services at Mdantsane clinics. It is clear that the current available maternal and child health programmes, school health services and reproductive health services are not able to meet the adolescent sexual and reproductive needs. Conclusion: The research findings from this study indicated the constraints to good quality family planning health care service delivery. Satisfaction responses from the five categories: health facility amenities, accessibility, staff characteristics, availability of sexual and reproductive health services and availability of educational material accessibility were mostly below 70%. The responses regarding the question on the “full information about the available contraceptives”showed the least level of satisfaction. Deficiencies in physical facilities and equipment, disruptions in supplies, insufficient information provided to clients and providers‟ insensitivity to the feelings and needs of the clients are issues that discourage adolescents from utilizing contraceptive services. Recommendations: Adolescents need a safe and supportive environment that offers information and skills to equip them on all aspects related to sexual and reproductive health issues. To satisfy adolescent reproductive needs, the following key elements should be improved: accessibility of reproductive health services, friendliness of clinic staff, availability of information about reproduction and sexuality and maintenance of issues regarding confidentiality and anonymity. Quality requires the presence of trained personnel in well-equipped clinics where clients are treated courteously. To avoid issues of courtesy bias, there is a need to conduct a similar survey utilizing alternative community settings, namely homes of participants or a school.

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology: Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / Palliative care research in South Africa is at an early stage and there is an increasing need to develop a body of evidence that is relevant to South African conditions. One of the biggest challenges that palliative care in Africa faces is the projected increase in the number of cancer patients in the developing world by 2050, many of whom will need palliative care. There is a concern at present about the integration of oncology and palliative care services in South Africa and whether or not cancer patients are able to access quality palliative care. Palliative care plays an important role in improving quality of life for people and family members affected by life-threatening illness. It pursues its goal by relieving pain and other distressing symptoms in cancer patients and giving psychosocial support to patients and their families. It should begin at diagnosis and continue throughout treatment, follow-up care, and at the end of life in addition to the cancer treatment which is given Aim of the study The aim of this study was to assess the integration of palliative care in the caring of cancer patients in the selected oncology clinics in the eThekwini district in KZN. Methodology A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to guide this study. The study was participative in nature and employed a focus group methodology. The participants in this study were professional nurses who were working at the selected sites in the public urban oncology clinics for more than three months. Two focus groups were conducted within one month of each other at selected oncology sites with participation from 16 oncology nurses. Findings Findings indicated that most participants understood palliative care as end of life care when a patient is beyond curative treatment and that it is often the doctor who determines eligibility. Participants also perceived palliative care in terms of different types of medical treatment. The findings indicated nurses only contacted hospices when the patient was at the last stage of their illness, were often not aware of all the hospices in the area, and acknowledged that communication between the oncology clinics and hospices was not good. Some nurses believed that palliative care is also provided in the oncology clinic and that it is not only the hospices that provide palliative care. Only one oncology nurse who participated in the study mentioned that she is trained in palliative care, but they all showed interest in becoming more knowledgeable in this area and improving relationships between oncology clinics and the palliative care team/hospices.

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: Nursing is influenced by the values of each nurse (Mellish & Paton, 1999: 6). Values form an integral part of human reality; they predict thoughts, feelings, actions and perceptions. Nursing in South Africa, is defined as a "caring profession” (Act No. 33 of 2005) and forms a subculture of the South African population, with nurses coming from different cultural and ethnic groups, being of various ages and both genders. It was identified that a need exists to understand nursing values and the factors influencing these values. Consequently, together with the lack of research data regarding values in South Africa and the factors influencing them, the importance to do an investigation into the factors influencing nursing values was identified. The aim was to do an in-depth study into the factors influencing nursing values of nurses working in nursing facilities in the Paarl district employed by the Provincial Administration of the Western Cape, in the West Coast Winelands Region of the Western Cape. The objectives were to determine the main reason for entering the nursing profession for nurses working in these facilities; to identify the most important part of nursing practice; to identify the core nursing values; to determine the factors influencing nursing values and the factors influencing nursing care. A quantitative research design using a descriptive, explorative survey was conducted. The population included the three categories of nurses, with a total population of 470 nurses (N = 470). Research questionnaires were distributed to 388 participants working on the days of data collection in all nursing departments, excluded nurses not permanently employed by the Provincial Administration Western Cape, including nursing agency staff, students doing practica and personnel on leave. The return rate was 60.56% (n = 235). The questionnaire was based on a literature review and the objectives, and a pilot test ensured reliability and validity. The results of the pilot study (n =10) were included in the findings, leading to 245 respondents (n = 245) being included in the main study. The questionnaire consisted of four sections and was validated by an expert in nursing science and research methodology, a biostatistician, a quality assurance manager and ethical committees. Four open-ended questions were included to provide richer and more diverse data. Only the researcher was involved in data collection that took place during day and night duty. Descriptive statistics and appropriate inferential statistical tests were used in analysing the data. Ethical approval was obtained. Anonymity and confidentiality of respondents were observed and written consent was obtained from respondents. It was identified that nurses enter the nursing profession due to altruism and the most important part of nursing encompasses caring. Differences in values important for behaviour of a nurse, patient care and ethical decision making were identified. Findings depicted that age, years of experience, qualification obtained, job description and department influence different values. Results identified that political and social factors, as well as motivation influence nursing practice. Recommendations include setting a clear value structure for nursing in South Africa; attention to the evaluation of staff performance and management; enhancing motivation of staff and the development of a management-for-nurse strategy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verpleging word beïnvloed deur die waardes van elke verpleegster (Mellish & Paton, 1999:6). Waardes vorm ’n integrerende deel van die menslike realiteit, dit voorspel gedagtes, gevoelens, handelinge en gewaarwordinge. Verpleging in Suid-Afrika word gedefinieer as ’n versorgingsberoep (Wet No. 33 van 2005) en vorm ’n subkultuur van die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking, met verpleegsters van verskillende kulturele en etniese groepe wat verskeie ouderdomme en albei geslagte insluit. Dit is geïdentifiseer dat ’n behoefte bestaan om verplegingswaardes en die faktore wat hierdie waardes beïnvloed, te verstaan. Gevolglik, gesamentlik met die gebrek aan navorsingsdata aangaande verpleegwaardes en die faktore wat dit beïnvloed, in Suid-Afrika, is die belangrikheid geïdentifiseer om ’n ondersoek te doen aangaande die faktore wat verpleegwaardes beïnvloed. Die doel was om ’n dieptestudie te doen van die faktore wat die verpleegwaardes van verpleegsters beïnvloed wat in verpleeg instansies in die Paarl-distrik werk in diens van die Provinsiale Administrasie van die Wes-Kaap, in die Weskus Wynlandstreek van die Wes-Kaap. Die doelwitte was om die hoofrede te bepaal waarom verpleegsters wat in hierdie fasiliteite werk die verpleegberoep betree het; om die belangrikste aspek van die verpleegpraktyk te identifiseer; die kern verplegingswaardes te identifiseer; en die faktore te bepaal wat verplegingswaardes en verpleegsorg beïnvloed. ’n Kwantitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is toegepas deur van ’n beskrywende, ondersoekende opname gebruik te maak. Die bevolking het die drie kategorieë van verpleegsters ingesluit, met ’n totale bevolking van 470 verpleegsters (N=470). Navorsingsvraelyste is versprei aan 388 deelnemers wat op die dae van data-insameling gewerk het in die verpleegdepartemente en het verpleegsters uitgesluit wat nie permanent indiens was van die Provinsiale Administrasie van die Wes-Kaap, asook verpleegagentskap personeel, studente wat praktika verrig en personeel op verlof. Die terugkeerkoers was 60.56% (n=235). Die vraelys was gebaseer op ’n literatuurstudie en die doelwitte van die studie, ’n loodsstudie het betroubaarheid en geldigheid verseker. Die resultate van die loodsstudie (n=10) is ingesluit in die bevindinge, wat gelei tot 245 respondente (n=245) in die hoof studie. Die vraelys het bestaan uit vier afdelings en is geldig verklaar deur ’n spesialis op die gebied van verpleegkunde en navorsingsmetodologie, ’n biostatistikus, ’n kwaliteitversekeringsbestuurder en etiese komitees. Vier oop-vrae is ingesluit om omvattende en meer uiteenlopende data te voorsien. Slegs die navorser was betrokke by data-insameling wat gedurende dag en nag skofte plaasgevind het. Beskrywende statistiek en geskikte afleibare statistiese toetse is gebruik in die analisering van die data. Etiese goedkeuring is verkry. Anonimiteit en vertroulikheid van respondente is behou en geskrewe toestemming is verkry van respondente. Bevindinge het getoon dat verpleegsters die verpleegberoep betree weens hul onbaatsugtigheid en dat die belangrikste aspek van verpleging versorging is. Verskille in waardes wat belangrik is vir die gedrag van ’n verpleegster/verpleër, pasiënt versorging en etiese besluitneming is geïdentifiseer. Daar is bevind dat ouderdom, ondervinding in jare, kwalifikasies behaal, posbeskrywing en die departement verskillende waardes beïnvloed. Resultate het bewys dat politieke en sosiale faktore, asook motivering verpleegpraktyk beïnvloed. Aanbevelings sluit die daarstelling van ’n duidelike struktuur van verpleegwaardes in Suid-Afrika; die nodigheid vir aandag aan die evaluering van personeelprestasie en -bestuur; die verheffing van personeelmotivering en die ontwikkeling van ’n bestuur-vir-verpleegster strategie.

Thesis (MCurr)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Unnoticed deterioration in the clinical condition of children in ward areas can lead to near or actual cardiopulmonary arrest. Children suffering from a cardiac arrest in hospital often display abnormal physiological parameters hours prior to this event occurring (i.e., within a 24 hour period). Prevention of cardiopulmonary arrest in the wards lies in the ability of nursing and medical staff to be able to identify these abnormal physiological parameters, i.e., early signs of deterioration, and to intervene prior to this event. This study aimed to identify nurses’ experiences with regards to current knowledge, clinical practice and training in the recognition of clinical deterioration in children. It could then be determined whether a formal guideline on the early recognition of clinical deterioration in children would be perceived as being beneficial by the respondents in this study. The research question that guided this study was “what are the perceptions and experiences of registered professional nurses working in paediatric wards with regards to their recognition of unexpected clinical deterioration in children?” An exploratory descriptive study, utilising a qualitative approach was applied. The target population consisted of all registered professional nurses working in paediatric wards in academic hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa. Ethical approval was obtained. Informed written consent was obtained from the participants. The purposive sampling method was used to select the participants (n=17) who met the criteria. Five focus group interviews were conducted to collect the data, using an interview guide. The planned methodology with its instrumentation and procedures was verified through a pilot study that was conducted on the first focus group interview. The steps of the research process included transcribing the collected data verbatim from the audio recordings and the field notes, and then analysing the data by summarising and packaging the data, identifying themes and trends in the data and verifying and drawing conclusions. The analysis themes identified were based on Donabedian’s conceptual framework, comprising Structure (the environment in which the care takes place), Process (method by which the care takes place), and Quality Assurance (the planned, organised evaluation of the patient care which has been rendered). The findings showed that the increased level of severity of illness of children nursed in paediatric wards, as well as staff shortages, gaps in training on resuscitation and clinical deterioration, limited ICU beds and staff, lack of adequate monitoring and emergency equipment in the wards, and inexperienced staff are all factors that were identified that increase the risk of staff not being able to detect clinical deterioration in children nursed in paediatric wards. Teamwork among nursing staff and other medical professionals, as well as parental involvement in the care of the children, assisted staff in being able to detect clinical deterioration. Most participants were unfamiliar with ‘early warning systems’ and reported that there are no paediatric ‘early warning scores’ (PEWS) in place. They believed such a system would be beneficial; however they had concerns regarding the time it would take to score a patient, the training involved, and the ease of use of such a tool and system. Recommendations for addressing non-recognition of clinical deterioration by nurses in paediatric wards such as appropriate knowledge and skill updating, were put forward in the study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Kliniese verswakking by kinders wie in pediatriese sale verpleeg word, wat nie betyds waargeneem word nie, kan dit lei tot ‘n amperse of werklike kardio-pulmonale arres. Kardio-pulmonale arres in kinders word dikwels voorafgegaan deur ‘n verandering in die fisiologiese parameters (so vroeg as 24-uur voor die arres). Die voorkoming van saalverwante kardio-pulmonale arres berus op die vermoeë van verpleeg- en mediese personeel om die abnormale fisiologiese tekens so vroeg as moontlik waar te neem en daadwerklik op te tree voordat die arres plaasvind. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die ondervindige van verpleegkundiges te identifiseer met betrekking tot die bestaande protokolle, opleiding en hulpbronne wat beskikbaar is vir die waarneming van die kliniese agteruitgang in kinders. ‘n Bepaling sal gevolglik gemaak kan word of die studie-respondente ‘n amptelike riglyn rakende die vroegtydige waarneming van kliniese agteruitgang in kinders voordelig sou vind al dan nie. Die rigtinggewende navorsingvraag vir die studie was “wat is die sieninge en ondervings van geregistreerde verpleegkundiges in pediatriese sale rakende die herkening van onverwagte kliniese agteruitgang in kinders?” ‘n Verkennende, beskrywende navorsingsmetodologie, met ‘n kwalitatiewe aanslag, is gebruik. Die teikenpopulasie het bestaan uit alle geregistreerde professionale verpleegkundiges, werksaam in die pediatriese sale van die akademiese hospitale in die Wes Kaap, Suid-Afrika. Etiese toestemming, asook ingeligte, skriftelike toestemming is vooraf verkry van elke deelnemer. ‘n Doelbewuste steekproefnemings metode is gebruik om die studie deelnemers, wat aan die navorsingskriteria voldoen het, te kies. Vyf fokusgroep onderhoude is gevoer om data in te samel en ‘n onderhoudsgids is gebruik vir dié onderhoude. Om die navorsingmetodologie, instrumentasie and prosedures te bevestig, is ‘n voortoets tydens die eerste fokusgroep onderhoud gedoen. Die stappe van die navorsingproses is gevolg om die ingesamelde data, bestaande uit klankopnames en veldnotas, woord-vir-woord oor te skryf. Die data is hierna ontleed deur middel van opsomming en samevoeging, terwyl temas en neigings geïdentifiseer is en afleidings geverifieër en gefinaliseer is. Die geïdentifiseerde ontledingstemas is basseer op Donabedian se konsepsuele raamwerk, bestaande uit Struktuur (die versorgingsomgewing), Proses (die versorgingsmetodes) en Kwaliteitsversekering (die doelbewuste en beplande evaluering van gelewerde verpleegsorg). Die navorsingsbevindinge het daarop gedui dat verskeie faktore ‘n rol speel in die risiko-toename wat verband hou met personeel wat nie die kliniese agteruitgang in kinders wat in pediatriese sale verpleeg word, waarneem nie. Die faktore sluit in: die kinders se graad van siekte, personeeltekorte, opleidings tekortkominge ten opsigte van resussitasie- en die identifikasie van kliniese agteruitgang by kinders, tekorte aan genoegsame moniterings- en noodtoerusting in die sale, en onervare personeel. Die waarneming van kliniese agteruitgang is wel bevorder deur spanwerk onder verpleegkundiges en ander mediese personeel, asook ouers wat betrokke was by die versorging van hulle kinders. Die meerderheid van die navorsingdeelnemers was nie vertroud met ‘vroeë waarskuwingsstelsel’ nie, en het aangedui dat geen ‘pediatriese vroeë waarskuwingsstelsels’ beskikbaar is nie. Alhoewel hulle van mening was dat so ‘n stelsel voordelig kon wees, het hulle bedenkinge gehad oor die tyd wat dit in beslag sou neem om die dokumentasie te voltooi, die opleiding wat hulle sou moes ontvang, en wat die moeilikheidsgraad van so ‘n stelsel sou wees. Die voortvloeiende aanbevelings van hierdie studie, wat die nie-herkenning van kliniese agteruitgang deur verpleegkundiges in pediatriese sale aanspreek, sluit in toepaslike kennis- en vaardigheids opdatering.