Personnel development in nursing education : a managerial perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish if, and to what extent, management of nursing colleges enhanced personnel development with regard to the professional and personal development of nurse educators and clinical preceptors. From the literature survey, it was concluded that an effective personnel development programme that included all nursing personnel involved in the education and training of student nurses, was imperative for the rendering of continuous quality nursing education. The importance of co-operation between management of nursing colleges and nursing management of clinical facilities regarding the development of personnel involved in the education and training of student nurses, was emphasised.

A programme for personnel development in nursing colleges was developed. The programme included suggestions for the educational development of both nurse educators and clinical preceptors/ registered nurses involved in the education and training of student nurses. It was suggested that nursing colleges should initiate the programme.

Research consisted of an in-depth literature review about the management of personnel development in the educational milieu and a survey with regard to the management of the development of personnel involved in the education and training of student nurses. Principals of nursing schools, nursing educators, nursing directors of health services and clinical preceptors in clinical settings formed the population for the study.

The theoretical framework used in this research with regard to personnel development in nursing schools, was Donabedian's theory on structural, process and outcomes standards as applied to quality improvement, as well as Alspach's theoretical foundation of nursing staff development.

The focus of this study was to use data generated through research to develop a personnel development programme for all registered nurses involved in the education and training of student nurses.

The most important conclusions of this research were as follows:

 Personnel development was provided for nurse educators and clinical preceptors/ registered nurses involved in the education and training of student nurses in the clinical setting, but it did not necessarily meet the personal and professional developmental needs of these professionals.

 The specific developmental needs of nurse educators and clinical preceptors/ registered nurses were related to educational skills, higher cognitive skill and skills related to research.

 Available resources at nursing colleges did not facilitate and support the development of nurse educators and clinical preceptors involved in the education and training of student nurses.

The main conclusion was that the establishment of a Department of Personnel Development at nursing colleges could provide for the educational needs of both nurse educators and clinical preceptors/ registered nurses, would benefit the personal and professional development of all learners involved and, ulitmately, would enhance the quality of patient care rendered by student nurses.