This study, using qualitative exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design, explored and described student nurses’ perspectives of the high failure rate in biological sciences. The study was conducted at one of the campuses of the school of nursing in the Free State province of South Africa. A purposively selected sample of 1st and 2nd year student nurses registered for the programme of education and training leading to registration as a nurse (general, psychiatric and community) and Midwife (R425, 1985; paragraph (iii) as amended) at the selected campus of the School of Nursing in the Free State was used. World café was utilized for data collection. Thematic analysis of data done using Braun and Clarke (2006) and for world café participants’ created documents, Blakeman, Samuelson and McEvoy (2012) method of document analysis was applied. The findings identified the internal and external causes of high failure rate in biological. Internal causes included students-related factors, which included difficulty in understanding the content and lack of motivation. The external causes involved content overload, inadequate utilisation of available limited resources, ineffective teaching methods and unfair assessment practices. Suggestions that were made by the students to improve the success rate in biological sciences were based on the perceived causes. Recommendations made included in-service education on interactive, evidence-based teaching learning methods in anatomy and physiology, provision of support for students with no background knowledge of biological sciences. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

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)

The purpose of this study was to explore possible problems associated with pregnancy amongst student nurses in the Northern Province, and to determine whether their studies were adversely affected by their pregnancies. This study was designed as a quantitative, exploratory descriptive survey to look into the pregnancies of a specific group of students exploring their experiences in the classrooms and in the clinical areas. During 1998 data was collected by distributing questionnaires to ninety three pregnant . student nurses. Sixty-seven (71,0%) of student nurses fell pregnant because they lacked knowledge about contraceptives. Four-six (49,5%) of the respondents delayed seeking antenatal care, although they needed advice and support. Whilst fifty-eight (62,4%) of the respondents suffered from minor ailments such as tiredness, pre-eclampsia, early bleeding prior to three months pregnancy, and dizziness. Fifty-eight (62,4%) of the respondents encountered problems with their academic progress, as revealed by decreasing marks scored before, during, and after delivery. Student nurses would willingly avail themselves of guidance, advice and support during their pregnancies if they could access such services. / Advanced Nursing Science / M.A.(Nursing Science)

The purpose of this study was to explore possible problems associated with pregnancy amongst student nurses in the Northern Province, and to determine whether their studies were adversely affected by their pregnancies. This study was designed as a quantitative, exploratory descriptive survey to look into the pregnancies of a specific group of students exploring their experiences in the classrooms and in the clinical areas. During 1998 data was collected by distributing questionnaires to ninety three pregnant . student nurses. Sixty-seven (71,0%) of student nurses fell pregnant because they lacked knowledge about contraceptives. Four-six (49,5%) of the respondents delayed seeking antenatal care, although they needed advice and support. Whilst fifty-eight (62,4%) of the respondents suffered from minor ailments such as tiredness, pre-eclampsia, early bleeding prior to three months pregnancy, and dizziness. Fifty-eight (62,4%) of the respondents encountered problems with their academic progress, as revealed by decreasing marks scored before, during, and after delivery. Student nurses would willingly avail themselves of guidance, advice and support during their pregnancies if they could access such services. / Advanced Nursing Science / M.A.(Nursing Science)