Providing mental health care to involuntary mental health care users (MHCUs) is challenging and an ethical adversity nurses often have to deal with. The literature, in general, indicates that nurses might possess coping and resiliency in the work environment where they are often faced with adversities. However there is a paucity of information regarding the resilience of nurses providing mental health care (MHC) to involuntary MHCUs. Therefore the research objectives explored the resilience of nurses using the Connor-Davidson scale (CD-RISC), to explore and describe how nurses cope and strengthen their resilience in providing MHC to involuntary MHCUs and to formulate guidelines to strengthen the resilience of these nurses to provide quality nursing care in the work environment where MHCUs are often involuntarily admitted. To achieve these objectives, the research followed both a qualitative and quantitative approach and an exploratory and descriptive design which was contextual in nature. A convenience sampling method was used to achieve a sample size of 28 participants, who were handed questionnaires to complete, containing demographical information, the CD-RISC and a narrative. A response rate of 85.7% was reached. Quantitative data was analysed by using the SPSS programme while data from narratives, for the qualitative data, were grouped and themed. The results in the first phase indicated that resiliency was high amongst participants, as the mean score of the CD-RISC was 79.9 out of a total score of 100; whilst only one participant scored below 50. The mean for the highest scores was on item 25 (pride in your achievements) (3.8) and item 10 (best effort no matter what) (3.6) and two critical aspects which scored low were item 18 (make unpopular or difficult decisions) and item 19 (can handle unpopular feelings) (2.3) amongst participants. Interestingly, the majority of participants (66.7%) do not have training in psychiatric nursing. In the second phase, two themes were identified from the questions. The first theme “Coping mechanisms” identified four methods to cope with involuntary MHCUs. These subthemes are “support system”, “knowledge, skills and experience”, “nurse-patient relationship” and “spirituality and selfcare”. The second theme “Resilience strategies” brought forth five subthemes as follows: “support”, “trained staff”, “security measures and safety”, “teamwork” and “in-service training and education”. Conclusions suggest that nurses are resilient to provide MHC for involuntary MHCUs. Furthermore, they take pride in their achievements and have passion for their work. On the contrary, they find it difficult to make unpopular decisions which affect others and to handle unpleasant feelings. This is indicative of internal conflict and difficulty in being assertive. Nurses take pride in their achievements and want to give nursing care that’s in the best interest of the MHCUs whilst they feel that they might not always be able to do so due to the involuntary nature of the MHCUs admission and treatment. Recommendations for nursing practice, namely guidelines to strengthen the resilience of nurses providing mental health care to involuntary MHCUs could be developed from the research findings. Facilitating assertiveness and a supportive environment might strengthen resilience and should be addressed by management and supervisors. Recommendations for nursing education and further research were also formulated. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

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 purpose of this study was to explore and describe registered nurse's perceptions with regard to continuing formal education. A quantitative descriptive, explorative research design was used to study registered nurses views with regard to continuing formal education and to identify the barriers to continuing formal education as experienced by registered nurses. Convenience sampling was used to select the research sample of registered nurses working at four state health institutions in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Descriptive statistics, based on calculations using the Microsoft (MS) Excel (for Windows 2000) programme, were used to summarise and describe the research results obtained from the questions completed by the registered nurses. The research results indicated that most registered nurses perceive continuing formal education as beneficial to their personal and professional growth and to improve the quality of patient/client care, but barriers exist which prevent or deter them from undertaking continuing formal education programmes. The main barriers were identified as structural barriers, including lack of funding, job and family responsibilities and lack of coherent staff development planning. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of registered nurses with regard to facilitating the learning of student nurses during clinical placement. Focus group interviews with fifteen registered nurses were done, followed by participant observations in two clinical areas, to gain a clearer picture of obstacles, as well as the strategies employed during placement of student nurses in the clinical area. The :findings indicate that facilitation of the learning of student nurses during clinical placement is achieved by guidance, involvement, assisting and supervision of student nurses in the clinical area by nurses of all categories, and medical and paramedical personnel. Many obstacles were identified which obstruct the employment of strategies that are suitable for facilitation in the clinical area. Guidelines for the facilitation of learning of student nurses were recommended, to improve facilitation in the clinical area. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The study investigated how patients in the general wards of the Avenues Clinic perceive the nursing care they received. The study objectives were to identify how nurses in the general wards of the Avenues Clinic respond to patients' needs and if the nursing care received from the nurses matched patients' expectations. The study further sought to determine if patients would return to use Avenues Clinic nursing services and recommend services to family and friends. Data was drawn from 87 respondents by randomly distributing 100 questionnaires to three thirty-four bedded general wards of the Avenues Clinic. Findings of the study indicated that the majority of patients who received nursing care that was in line with their expectations would also return to use Avenues Clinic nursing services as well as recommend the services to family and friends. The theme "optimal care" was used to consolidate patient satisfiers while "suboptimal care" was used to describe patient dissatisfiers. / Health Studies / (M.A.(Health Studies ))

Quantitative, descriptive research was conducted to determine which factors contribute to absenteeism among nurses. A structured self-administered questionnaire was administered to the entire population of nurses who worked at a district hospital in the Limpopo Province. Statistical data analysis, involving factor analysis, frequencies and Chi-squares was performed. The findings revealed that various factors related to the characteristics of the nurse, characteristics of the manager, characteristics of the work and characteristics of the organisation contribute to absenteeism. Professional nurses and sub-professional nurses, as well as nurses younger than 40 and nurses who are 40 years and older, appeared to disagree on the extent to which various factors contribute to absenteeism in the workplace. This study was aimed at assisting organisations and managers in reducing absenteeism in the workplace, and by doing so, improving the quality of care. / Health Studies / MA (HEALTH STUDIES)

The purpose of this quantitative, descriptive study was to describe how registered nurses utilise teachable moments to enhance students' learning in the clinical setting. The research questions were: What are the problems faced by registered nurses when they teach students in the clinical setting? and How do registered nurses utilise teachable moments to teach students? A pilot study was conducted in the clinical setting involving the respondents who had similar characteristics than the population. The sample consisted of 45 registered nurses who provided direct patient care in the clinical setting. A self­ administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done by using descriptive statistical tests. The findings brought to light strengths and weaknesses with regard to the utilisation of teachable moments by registered nurses, and problems faced by registered nurses with regard to clinical accompaniment in general. Recommendations to improve clinical accompaniment by registered nurses through effective utilisation of teachable moments were made. Further research was recommended to explore some problematic areas that emerged from this study. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

This non-experimental, descriptive, quantitative survey attempted to evaluate IMCI implementation in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu -Natal. The study focused on IMCI implementation by IMCI trained registered nurses, health facility support and follow-up and supervision. The research population comprised of all IMCI trained registered nurses working in health facilities in the eThekwini district. The convenient sample consisted of 40 research subjects. Data was collected by means of an interview schedule and a checklist, and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2007. Findings of the study revealed that many of the IMCI trained registered nurses were unable to assess, classify and treat the sick child comprehensively and consistently. The recommended follow-up visit at six weeks after completion of IMCI training, and lack of on-going supervision remains an area of concern. Recommendations were that district or clinic supervisors can enhance the skills of IMCI trained registered nurses through recommended follow-up visits and on-going supervision and the provision of updated IMCI chart booklets. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Text in English / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of the bridging programme graduates regarding their preparedness to manage a nursing unit .Quantitative; descriptive survey design was used with a structured questionnaire as data collection instrument. The sample included 58 bridging programme graduates who had completed their training at a private nursing school and was working at seven private hospitals in KwaZulu Natal. The graduates reported competence in performing some but not all management competencies addressed by this survey. Some graduates reported they were placed in charge of the nursing unit, in spite of not feeling competent, as early as in their first month. Recommendations with regard to nursing education, nursing practice and further research, specifically relating to improvement of management competencies for new graduates, were made / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)