M.Cur. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Cur. / This study addressed the shortage of qualified nursing staff by means of an empirical research questionnaire according to the principles of the Delphi method. The study has as its objective the design of a marketing strategy for a nursing college, and also determines the contribution of marketing staff and formulates guidelines for a marketing programme and the implementation of a marketing strategy. The research consisted of three phases, being a literature survey and analysis of existing marketing models for service careers; the use of the Delphi method In three rounds, as well as critical Interviews with members Included In the sample to verify results; and the final validation with a marketing consultant and three respondents who are experienced marketing staff members. Marketing was regarded as a total system of Interactional activities, and the potential contribution of all involved persons was addressed in compiling a strategic marketing formula. A possible framework for a marketing strategy was determined with specific emphasis on the elements of such a formula, namely marketing staff, target market, products, price, promotional activities, venue and marketing research. It became clear from the research results that a marketing strategy and the guidelines for implementing such a strategy could enable marketing staff to enhance the Image of this career in an organised and planned manner, thereby contributing to the recruitment of nursing students who could resolve the shortage of qualified nursing staff.

The shortage of nurses is a global problem and the selection and education of nursing students is of primary concern. At present, nurse educators at some nursing colleges in Gauteng Province experience problems with the type of students accepted for training and education. The situation is exacerbated by the difference in selection criteria applied for the acceptance of nurse students. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to explore nurse educators’ perceptions of the current selection criteria and describe the criteria that they would recommend for better selection, retention and training of nurses. The study was conducted at a nursing college in the West Rand Region, Johannesburg. The college trains first-year nursing students before promotion to second-year level at Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College, where they complete their training. The researcher selected a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design and data was collected from 19 participants, aged between 35 and 60, in three focus group discussions. A grand tour question and probing questions were asked to elicit deep, rich discussion and data. The researcher took field notes during the interviews. The findings of the study revealed discrepancies between the selection criteria applied by the Gauteng Department of Health, the Department of Labour, the SANC and the nursing college management; nurse educators’ feeling of disempowerment related to non-participation as stakeholders in student nurses’ selection; students’ inability to cope with course content revealed that there is a gap between Gauteng Department of Health, Gauteng nursing college management, nurse educators and labour department and a need for review of selection criteria for nursing students, and lack of support from management. The study makes recommendations for practice and nursing education which should assist all the stakeholders in developing selection criteria for nursing students and course content. / Health Studies / M. A. (Nursing Science)

Nursing colleges face a high failure rate among first and second year nursing students. Appropriate selection criteria should help to recruit and select the best suitable candidates who will endure the requirements of the comprehensive four-year nursing diploma course and finally graduate. The input should be equal to the throughput. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the extent to which selection criteria were a determinant or predictive factor of nursing students’ academic performance and success at a nursing colleges in Gauteng Province. A triangulated research design method was used for data collection, presentation, and analysis. The research population consisted of first and second year student nurses registered in public nursing college. Random sampling was opted for at the nursing college selected as research site. During the empirical phase in 2015, 280 questionnaires were distributed. The findings of the study indicated that there is a weak linear relation between academic qualification and academic performance, yet further analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between Bachelor’s degree holders and their academic achievement when admitted at nursing colleges. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)