The purpose of this study was to ascertain if nurses-in-training in today's vocational schools are receiving instruction which capably prepares them to meet the needs and exigencies demanded by the medical profession in our rapidly changing society. The study also purports to demonstrate the need for in-service training of nurses already in the profession as well as the mandate for change which had to be carried out by all nursing trainers in light of the rapidly evolving technological advances of the medical field of the nineties.

Human resources are the most important assets of any health system. In recent years it has been increasingly recognised that improving the performance of health personnel should be at the core of any sustainable solution to health system performance. However, it is widely acknowledged that health systems are not producing the desired output of health interventions due to factors such as insufficient skilled and experienced health personnel, demotivated health personnel, lack of management skills, poor working conditions and environment, and inadequate remuneration. This study explores the factors that affect performance of nurses in Namibia with the aim of providing a management framework for improving the performance of professional nurses. The study followed a quantitative research approach using an explorative descriptive design. A survey method using questionnaires was applied. The reaction to the study was positive as a response rate of 75.8% was obtained. Data analysis included identifying and comparing existence or absence of factors using the SSPS package. The target population included all professional nurses in Oshana, Otjozondjupa and Khomas regions. Baseline results revealed various factors which affect performance. The study revealed that hospitals currently have deficiencies in human resource management aspects such as recognition of employees who perform well, working conditions, implementation of performance appraisal systems, feedback on performance outcomes and management skills. These aspects are strongly associated with level of performance of health personnel. Based on the results, a management framework was proposed. The framework consists of activities for enhancing the nursing profession; strengthening knowledge and expertise, including management skills; improving performance; and generating knowledge through research. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil.(Health Studies)

This study's purpose (May, 1980) was to determine nursing career preferences of twelfth-grade students in health occupation courses in Texas. Super's theory of career development provided the theoretical framework. Data collected via researcher-developed Nursing Career Survey (NCS) administered to students and a teacher questionnaire concerning course content were analyzed and reported by frequencies and percentages. The population (n=379): females, ethnic groups (Whites, Blacks, and Mexican-Americans), all levels of social classes (I/II, III, and IV/V), and preferrers of VN, ADN, Diploma, and BSN nursing programs.

Human resources are the most important assets of any health system. In recent years it has been increasingly recognised that improving the performance of health personnel should be at the core of any sustainable solution to health system performance. However, it is widely acknowledged that health systems are not producing the desired output of health interventions due to factors such as insufficient skilled and experienced health personnel, demotivated health personnel, lack of management skills, poor working conditions and environment, and inadequate remuneration. This study explores the factors that affect performance of nurses in Namibia with the aim of providing a management framework for improving the performance of professional nurses. The study followed a quantitative research approach using an explorative descriptive design. A survey method using questionnaires was applied. The reaction to the study was positive as a response rate of 75.8% was obtained. Data analysis included identifying and comparing existence or absence of factors using the SSPS package. The target population included all professional nurses in Oshana, Otjozondjupa and Khomas regions. Baseline results revealed various factors which affect performance. The study revealed that hospitals currently have deficiencies in human resource management aspects such as recognition of employees who perform well, working conditions, implementation of performance appraisal systems, feedback on performance outcomes and management skills. These aspects are strongly associated with level of performance of health personnel. Based on the results, a management framework was proposed. The framework consists of activities for enhancing the nursing profession; strengthening knowledge and expertise, including management skills; improving performance; and generating knowledge through research. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil.(Health Studies)

Globally, the nursing profession is faced with a decline in school-leavers’ interest in nursing as a career. The decline in school leavers entering the nursing profession poses a threat to the future of nursing because, globally, the average age of nurses in many countries exceeds 40 years (International Council of Nurses, 2008). The role of marketing in attracting school leavers to careers of choice is well documented; however, there is a lack of documented marketing attempts by Nursing Education Institutions to market nursing as a career at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The purpose of the study was to determine the views that grade nine learners have regarding the marketing of nursing as a career to attract school-leavers to the profession. The researcher also explored and described how grade nine learners are being informed or wish to be informed of nursing as a career. Based on the findings of the study, broad guidelines were developed for nurse educators at Nursing Education Institutions so as to facilitate the marketing of nursing as a career for school leavers. To achieve the purpose of this study, a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study design was used. The study was conducted at selected senior secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The research population in this study comprised of all grade nine learners at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The data collected were analysed with the help of the statistician, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that grade nine learners in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality had a positive response to choosing nursing as a career and that schools situated in the lower socio-economic areas had the highest percentage of grade nine learners indicating an interest in nursing as a career. The study concludes with recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. Ethical principles have been maintained throughout the study.

Text in English / This study explores and describes the perceptions of student nurses regarding professional nurses as role models in the clinical learning environment. An exploratory-descriptive qualitative approach was followed. The population for this study was the final year students in the programme: Bridging course for enrolled nurses leading to registration as a general nurse. Nonprobability, quota sampling was done. The study was conducted at two Gauteng campuses of a private nursing education institution. Two “World Café” conversations were conducted where after data saturation was achieved. The three major themes that emerged were professionalism of the professional nurse, the need for student support and the teaching and learning environment. From the students’ feedback it was evident that professional nurses should be aware of the important role they play in the professional and personal development of students. Professional nurses as role models should portray the professional behaviours and attitudes required by the profession. Students have a vision of how they expect to be when they qualify as professional nurses. Recommendations from this study relate to the three themes identified and clearly indicate that students have a realistic expectation of and a need for visible role models in the clinical learning environment. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study examined the gender socialisation process among ten recent high school graduates and the reasoning behind their chosen career paths. Three institutions: the family, school, and media, were examined to explore how these institutions could possibly have affected the participants’ career choices. This was accomplished through qualitative research by conducting in-depth interviews among five nursing students (three females and two males) and five engineering students (three females and two males) who were 18 or 19 years of age. The interviews revealed that the participants were aware of current gender stereotypes and had experienced gender socialisation through bedroom décor and/or parental roles. The interviews further revealed ‘influencers’ (such as one’s peer group or a close relative) as a significant factor leading males into nursing and females into engineering. Participants within each program revealed differences in personal definitions of success and thoughts on work-family balance. / Sociology / M.A. (Sociology)

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)