Experiences of student nurses regarding the bursary system in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Background: During 2010, the South African nursing education system was restructured, changing student nurses from having supernumerary status to being bursary holders. Changes with the introduction of this new bursary system included institutional factors and benefits that could be removed from the students, potentially hampering students' sense of belonging. Aim: This study aimed to describe the experiences of students receiving bursaries in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province and to make recommendations for improving the system to bursary providers, educational institutions and practical settings based on these students' experiences of the bursary system. Setting: The experiences of student nurses regarding the bursary system are described within a specified setting comprising two nursing campuses in KZN. Method: A qualitative study design was used and seven focus group interviews were conducted with purposively selected participants, representing the target population of first-, second- and third-year male and female nursing students registered for the Diploma in Nursing (General, Psychiatric, Community) and Midwifery. Results: Two main themes and eight subthemes were identified. The findings indicated that some of the bursary system's experiences were negative as opposed to students having supernumerary status. These experiences had negative socio-economic, psychological, clinical, academic and family impacts. Many concerns related to staff members' attitudes, shortages of nurses and service demands during students' clinical practice assignments. Conclusions: The bursary system was not viewed as being beneficial to students as they did not receive all the benefits from being bursary holders. Support in clinical and academic areas was lacking as they were considered to be employees during their clinical assignments. There is an urgent need to review the bursary system

Quality of nursing care of surgical patients at the regional hospital of Ngaoundere

Introduction. One way of assessing the quality of healthcare is to study the satisfaction of patients about the care which is provided by nursing personnel of surgical units. The aim of the study was to assess the healthcare quality provided to patients, and how satisfied they are with focus on the sociodemographic factors that can affect the patients' nursing at the Regional Hospital of Ngaoundere. Patients and methods. This was a cross sectional transversal prospective study that was carried in n the surgery unit of the Regional Hospital of Ngaoundéré from September to December 2015. Our tools were a questionnaire and observational audit. Our study variables were the knowledge and attitudes of patients in relation to aesthesia and surgery, and the level of satisfaction in all its dimensions during the various stages of the perioperative interventions. Results. Within three (03) months, we have got and handled a sample if sixty (60) patients, using a questionnaire that enabled us to record 3.75 for the total amount of satisfaction and 75% for the total rate. The technical competences were the highest proportion with a total rate of 91.8%, 92.6% for the esteem (respect) and 84.4% for the staff characteristics. But supporting was less, with 47.5%. Conclusion. Our results emphasize some factors that should be improved to provide a better nursing quality care plan to patients during surgical operations

Facilitating Nurses' Knowledge of the Utilisation of Reflexology in Adults with Chronic Diseases to Enable Informed Health Education during Comprehensive Nursing Care

An integrative literature review of identified scientific evidence; published from January 2000 to December 2008; of the utilisation of reflexology as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities to promote well-being and quality of life in adults with chronic diseases was done to facilitate nurses to give informed health education during comprehensive nursing care to patients with chronic diseases. Selected accessible databases were searched purposefully for research articles (N = 1171). Pre-set inclusion criteria were applied during the study selection process. The methodological study quality was reviewed and appraised with appropriate tools from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and the American Dietetic Association's (ADA) Evidence analysis manual (n = 21). Evidence extraction; analysis and synthesis of studies (n = 18) were done through the evidence class rating and level of strength as prescribed in the manuals of ADA and CASP. Findings indicate statistically significant reduction in the frequency of seizures in patients with intractable epilepsy; an improvement of sensory and urinary symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis and clinically significant reduction of anxiety and pain in patients with cancer and fibromyalgia syndrome. These findings can be utilised by nurses to inform patients with these chronic diseases about alternative ways of treatment

Assessment of the Quality of Nursing Care in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria: Patients' Perspective

This survey attempted to assess the quality of nursing care in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital based on the patients' opinion. The population of study included patients who were 18 years and above and have spent at least 3 nights in the hospital. A total of one hundred and eight (108) patients were selected for the survey. The results revealed that 81.5of the respondent had attended at least primary school; 44.5had spent 15 days and more in the hospital. Some areas specifically assessed by respondents among others include care and treatment received from Nurses; Nurses knowledge and ability. The patients overall assessment of nursing care reveals that 82.7were satisfied and feels that nursing care was good. The need to continually measure; monitor and improve nursing care as well as encouraging professional specialization and organizing orientation programs/update courses; workshop etc on a regular basis among others were made; as recommendations

Nursing Shortage Paradigm: The Bayelsa State Situation

This paper attempted to educate the reader about the shortage of nursing staff and how it affects Bayelsa State's health sector. Bayelsa State like any other state in Nigeria has enormous health challenges associated with manpower shortage. Bayelsa's situation is unique because of its terrain. Some factors such as cost of river transport; insecurity of lives and properties due to incessant attacks from sea pirates; poor housing; lack of portable water; deplorable state of hospitals and health centres; erratic or lack of power supply; inadequate nursing personnel; and uneven distribution of the few nurses available; were identified to be peculiar with Bayelsa terrain. This consequently resulted in increased nurse- patient load; risk for error; infection spread; high mortality rate; quackery and chances of nurses being over stressed. Recommendation such as increase in the rural posting allowance for nurses; provision of social amenities in rural areas; employment of more nurses from various states of the federation among others were made

Fresh simulation options in critical care nursing education

Context and setting The Critical Care (General) Nursing Programme in the Faculty of Health Sciences; Stellenbosch University; South Africa is a one-year post graduate programme. The practical component of the course consists of a number of individual practical procedures e.g. suctioning of the intubated patient as well as several case presentations. In order for students to be able to do a case presentation they need to understand and integrate the critically sick patient's disease process as well as the medical and nursing management. In order for the students to pass the case presentations satisfactory is often a challenge as a much higher cognitive level is expected than when performing the individual practical procedures. Why the idea was necessary During the course of the programme weekly individual clinical guidance is provided to the students at the bedside in the critical care units. The purpose of these bedside sessions is for the students to discuss the critically sick patients with a critical care nurse educator in order to develop their integration; reasoning and case presentation skills. Students however tend to use these teaching opportunities only to practice and to be assessed on the individual practical procedures. Therefore graduates often possess of the skills to do the individual practical procedures; but because they find it difficult to integrate and understand the patient's disease process they lack insight in the holistic picture of the patient. What was done A case study design was used for this study. The practical procedures identified as suitable for simulation were demonstrated; practiced and assessed in simulation in the Clinical Skills Centre (CSC). The study focused on describing how the tutors and students involved experienced the use of simulation as well as how the use of the CSC for reaching competency in some of the practical procedures impacted on the available teaching time in the clinical settings. Evaluation of results and impact The result of completing the majority of the practical procedures in simulation was that more time was available for the students to practice doing case presentations with the critical care nurse educators during their clinical teaching sessions. students and tutors valued the use of simulation and enjoyed the sessions in the CSC. The issue of how successful the transfer of learning from the CSC to the clinical areas takes place poses very valid questions when it comes to simulation. It is vital that students should be able to transfer the learning that has occurred in the simulated setting to the clinical context. Further research on this subject could serve to establish whether students can apply the procedures they have been assessed on in the CSC equally well on real patients; or; if not; what measures can be implemented to facilitate this process

Foreign Nursing Students: Their Profile and Perceptions Ofnursing Care in Namibia

A survey was conducted using open and close-ended questions to determine how visiting nursing students in Namibia could be assisted during their visits (cultural encounters). Many students decide to complete their clinical exposure in a foreign country; either for personal reasons or in order to meet the course requirements for transcultural nursing. Since 1998; Namibia has received a number of these students. In discussion and from passing remarks from the students themselves; the question has arisen as to how an optimum placement for each student might be achieved. Aspects of the Campina-Bacote model and The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Health Care Services were used to answer this question. It was decided to gather both biographical (profile) information and information on perceptions of nursing care in Namibia from such foreign nursing students. The biographical (profile) information collected indicates a prevalence of certain shared biographical characteristics among international students. Such students tend to be adventurous; caring and sensitive to human rights issues. This finding correlates with the constructs of cultural desire and cultural awareness as described in the model of Campina-Bacote. Based on this finding; specific recommendations were made for clinical allocations. From the data gathered from the open-ended questions; three themes emerged: firstly; nursing in Namibia has identifiable characteristics; secondly; there is a paternalistic and one-sided communication style among nursing caregivers in Namibia; and finally; nursing care delivery in this country is often characterised by a detached attitude. It was concluded that these themes correlated with a cultural awareness and cultural knowledge among the nursing students. The discovery of these themes was useful for making recommendations for clinical guidelines to help these students adapt; as well as for providing a foundation and substantiation for clinical placement

Oral Hygiene Care in Critically Ill Patients

Oral hygiene care includes a combination of nursing activities that are often placed very low on the priority care list for a critically ill patient. This may have detrimental implications for the patient. A literature review was done to identify and describe the available evidence related to the beneficial effects of oral hygiene care and the way in which oral hygiene practices should be implemented for a critically ill patient. Various implications of poor oral hygiene care are highlighted; as well as the barriers that have been identified to preventing good oral hygiene care practice. A discussion of the available research evidence to guide oral hygiene care activities includes aspects of timing as well as recommended 'tools'. While some nursing-led research has been published on this topic; there is scope for further investigation into oral hygiene care practices in the critically ill

Communication skills : A tool for Interpersonal Relationship in Nursing Care

Background: The interpersonal relationship between the nurse and other health care providers is poor. Moreover; the ineffective therapeutic communication skills within the health team are the bane to effective and efficient health care delivery system. Nurses; as members of the health team are supposed to communicate information about the client to other members of the team to enable them carry out a comprehensive plan of care; though this is found wanting. The lack of knowledge of the factors that influence or inhibit effective communication among health care providers contribute to the lopsided health care delivery system. Results : This paper reviews the process of communication; its skills in the nursing process which involves the client's family and other health care professionals in identifying the health care needs of the client. Factors that influence or inhibit effective communication is discussed. Effective communication establishes good working relationships between the nurse; client and other health care providers. Thus; this promotes client's well-being and reduction of death rates in our hospitals. Methods: A review of the process of communication in the nursing process utilizing relevant texts and papers obtained by manual/Medline search. Conclusion: Effective communication is necessary for the nurse's role in helping the client to adapt to the changes resulting from health alterations. Nursing is a communicative interaction and it is believed that the foundation of nursing lies in the communicative attitude. It is a fact that failure to communicate leads to serious problems that can threaten professional credibility

Communication skills: A tool for interpersonal relationship in nursing care

Background: The interpersonal relationship between the nurse and other health care providers is poor. Moreover; the ineffective therapeutic communication skills within the health team are the bane to effective and efficient health care delivery system. Nurses; as members of the health team are supposed to communicate information about the client to other members of the team to enable them carry out a comprehensive plan of care; though this is found wanting. The lack of knowledge of the factors that influence or inhibit effective communication among health care providers contribute to the lopsided health care delivery system.Methods: A review of the process of communication in the nursing process utilizing relevant texts andpapers obtained by manual/Medline search.Results: This paper reviews the process of communication; its skills in the nursing process which involves the client's family and other health care professionals in identifying the health care needs of the client. Factors that influence or inhibit effective communication is discussed. Effective communication establishes good working relationships between the nurse; client and other health care providers. Thus; this promotes client's well-being and reduction of death rates in our hospitals.Conclusion: Effective communication is necessary for the nurse's role in helping the client to adapt to the changes resulting from health alterations. Nursing is a communicative interaction and it is believed that the foundation of nursing lies in the communicative attitude. It is a fact that failure to communicate leads to serious problems that can threaten professional credibility

The Knowledge and Attitude Towards Seeking Medical Care in Case of Exposure to Sexual Violence amongst University of Benin Female Students

Background - There has been increased concern on human sexuality; especially with respect to contraception and the control of sexually transmissible infections. There is need to identify the sociodemographic characteristics that influence sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among young women. Methods - A descriptive cross sectional study that focused on the socio-demographic characteristics; sexuality; knowledge and use of modern contraceptive technology as well as interventions taken in the event of inadvertent pregnancy was conducted. A structured; close- ended questionnaire was randomly administered to 195 female nursing students with 60; 65 and 70 of them in their first; second and third year respectively. Results - Majority (76.7) of the students were in the age bracket of 20 - 24years. While 65.6of them were sexually active; only 54.9had knowledge of family planning. Condom was the commonest contraceptive used (37.4) and the main reasons were that of effectiveness (31.8) and safety (30.3). There was a significant relationship between respondents with multiple sexual partners and incidence of unwanted pregnancies (p=0.003). The majority (51.2) of those with unwanted pregnancies resorted to induced abortion

Etude de la surveillence pre et perinatale d'une maternite peripherique en zone tropicale urbaine. Cas de la PMI de Yopougon

L'objectif de notre etude etait de definir le profil de la surveillance pre et perinatale dans une maternite peripherique urbaine. Cette etude transversale descriptive d'un echantillon de 445 nouveau-nes s'est deroulee du 1er aout au 31 octobre 2000. L'analyse de nos resultais a montre que les meles avaient un age moyen de 25 ans Elles avaient consulte en moyenne 3 fois pour la surveillance de leur grossesse mais il s'est pose le probleme de la qualite des CPN. Nous n'avons pas remarque d'association statistiquement significative entre l'age; la parite; la distance parcourue pour atteindre le centre de sante et le nombre de CPN a l'exception du niveau de scolarisation. Le paludisme a domine la pathologie au cours de la grossesse. Le travail de grossesse a debute a domicile avec un risque infectieux eleve (74.30 pour cent). La morbidite foetale etait fortement representee par la souffrance foetale 68;75 pour cent). Les grossesses ont evolue a terme dans 95 pour cent des cas mais nous avons observe deux cas de mort-nes. A la naissance; la majorite des nouveau-nes avaient un bon apgar apres la 5eme minute de vie. Le poids de naissance et le perimetre cranien moyens etaient respectivement de 2952 g et 32 cm. On notait une legere predominance des nouveau-nes de sexe masculin. La pathologie neonatale etait dominee par la souffrance cerebrale (38;55 pour cent) et la detresse respiratoire (26;51 pour cent). L'evolution a ete fatale chez 5 nouveau-nes et 6 nouveau-nes ont ete evacues au CHU. Le taux de consultation apres la sortie de la maternite a ete tres faible. Parmi les nouveau- nes consultes; l'infection neonatale a ete le diagnostic le plus retenu. Les soins de puericulture etaient bien connus en general mais insuffisamment pratiques par les sages-femmes en raison des conditions de travail difficiles. Il apparait evident que l'amelioration de la qualite de la surveillance pre et perinatale I implique une adequation entre le suivi prenatal et l'identification des facteurs de risque foetal d'une part et d'autre part entre la qualite du personnel de sante et la constitution d'un cadre de travail propice

Le 14eme besoin fondamental des soins infirmiers

Le role de l'infirmier consiste a aider l'individu; malade ou en sante; au maintien ou au recouvrement de la sante. En effet; ce 14eme besoin fondamental place l'infirmier dans l'obligation d'aider le malade a se renseigner sur l'ensemble de son sejour dans une institution hospitaliere. A ce role; l'infirmier y pourvoit generalement en apportant des informations du medecin; de l'aumonier; du laborantin ou de l'un ou l'autre membre de l'equipe soignante au malade ou du malade vers un membre de l'equipe soignante

The study of factors that influence nursing care at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital; Blantyre; Malawi

The study set out to identify factors that influence nursing care at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. Data were collected July and September 1988. A total of 313 nurses; patients and guardians were interviewed and supplementary data was provided by hospital records. The main finding was that nursing care was sub-standard due to several factors; the most important of which were poor promotional prospects; poor working atmosphere; increasing workload and inadequate facilities necessary for provision of appropriate nursing care