The aim of this study was to develop guidelines for the support of newly qualified nurses to ease their transition from student to professional practitioners in Lesotho; based on an exploration and description of the newly qualified nurses’ first hand experience of their transition from student to professional practitioners in a public hospital in Lesotho. The rationale behind the study was the researcher’s perception of an attitude change observed in the newly qualified professional practitioners. An explorative, descriptive, contextual, qualitative research design was chosen. The sample included all newly qualified professional nurses who worked in a public hospital in Lesotho for a period of one year or less. Data collection took place by means of semi–structured individual interviews with ten (10) participants and a focus group interview with eight (8) of the original participants. Content analysis of the data in the qualitative tradition was independently done by two coders who identified four (4) themes and ten (10) sub–themes. The first theme was described as reality shock, including the sub–themes emotional reactions and limited resources. The second theme, competence, includes the sub–themes of knowledge, skills and attitude. A third theme describes the participants experience of the support from management, colleagues, the Ministry of Health and Social welfare, nursing educational institutions and the community. The fourth theme describes the participants’ vision for the future. Each of the themes was discussed together with relevant data obtained from literature and reduced to a conclusive statement which served as basis for the formulation of guidelines to ease the transition from student to professional practitioner in Lesotho. The research report concluded with the researcher’s evaluation of the study and recommendations for nursing education, nursing management and further research. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this study was to develop guidelines for the support of newly qualified nurses to ease their transition from student to professional practitioners in Lesotho; based on an exploration and description of the newly qualified nurses’ first hand experience of their transition from student to professional practitioners in a public hospital in Lesotho. The rationale behind the study was the researcher’s perception of an attitude change observed in the newly qualified professional practitioners. An explorative, descriptive, contextual, qualitative research design was chosen. The sample included all newly qualified professional nurses who worked in a public hospital in Lesotho for a period of one year or less. Data collection took place by means of semi–structured individual interviews with ten (10) participants and a focus group interview with eight (8) of the original participants. Content analysis of the data in the qualitative tradition was independently done by two coders who identified four (4) themes and ten (10) sub–themes. The first theme was described as reality shock, including the sub–themes emotional reactions and limited resources. The second theme, competence, includes the sub–themes of knowledge, skills and attitude. A third theme describes the participants experience of the support from management, colleagues, the Ministry of Health and Social welfare, nursing educational institutions and the community. The fourth theme describes the participants’ vision for the future. Each of the themes was discussed together with relevant data obtained from literature and reduced to a conclusive statement which served as basis for the formulation of guidelines to ease the transition from student to professional practitioner in Lesotho. The research report concluded with the researcher’s evaluation of the study and recommendations for nursing education, nursing management and further research. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this study was to make recommendations for the facilitation of professional socialization of the newly qualified registered nurse (NQRN) through exploration and description of the NQRN„s experience of professional socialization at a specific private hospital and factors that may contribute to the resignation of bursary holders. The rationale behind this study was that bursary holders resign before or just after completing their contractual binding. An explorative, descriptive and qualitative research design was used. The sample included al the NQRN who met the inclusive criteria. Data collection was done by the writing of narratives by eight (8) participant‟s and followed with a focus group discussion to confirm the data. The contents was analyzed independently by two coders and three (3) themes and four (4) sub themes where identified. The first theme describes the NQRNs‟ experience of professional socialization and includes the sub themes, organizational climate and accompaniment. The second theme describes the reasons for resignation, namely salary and further study or training. A third theme describes the participants‟ recommendations to management to prevent resignation. The themes were described with relevant research- and subject literature. Each theme was summarized in a conclusion that served as basis for recommendations regarding the facilitation of the NQRNs‟ professional socialization to the private hospital‟s management and training department, as well as recommendations for further research. The study was concluded with the researcher‟s evaluation of the study, identification of limitations and the researcher‟s reflection on the study. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of this study was to make recommendations for the facilitation of professional socialization of the newly qualified registered nurse (NQRN) through exploration and description of the NQRN„s experience of professional socialization at a specific private hospital and factors that may contribute to the resignation of bursary holders. The rationale behind this study was that bursary holders resign before or just after completing their contractual binding. An explorative, descriptive and qualitative research design was used. The sample included al the NQRN who met the inclusive criteria. Data collection was done by the writing of narratives by eight (8) participant‟s and followed with a focus group discussion to confirm the data. The contents was analyzed independently by two coders and three (3) themes and four (4) sub themes where identified. The first theme describes the NQRNs‟ experience of professional socialization and includes the sub themes, organizational climate and accompaniment. The second theme describes the reasons for resignation, namely salary and further study or training. A third theme describes the participants‟ recommendations to management to prevent resignation. The themes were described with relevant research- and subject literature. Each theme was summarized in a conclusion that served as basis for recommendations regarding the facilitation of the NQRNs‟ professional socialization to the private hospital‟s management and training department, as well as recommendations for further research. The study was concluded with the researcher‟s evaluation of the study, identification of limitations and the researcher‟s reflection on the study. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014