AJNM Volume 13 Issue 1, 2011

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    Graduates' evaluations of the Master of Nursing Science degree programme offered by the University of Botswana
    (Unisa, 2011) Sabone, M.B.
    The Master of Nursing Science (MNS) programme offered by the University of Botswana needed to be reviewed so that it could be synchronised with prevailing trends within the university, nationally, regionally, and internationally. The purpose of this customer satisfaction survey was to determine the extent to which these graduates' expectations had been met. The findings could provide ideas and inputs for reviewing this programme. The population comprised graduates for the period 1998-2007. A questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions was used to collect data. A convenience and snowball sampling method was employed. Descriptive statistics and content analysis methods were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Of the 53 respondents, 92.5% were females and 7.5% were males. These 53 returned the questionnaires, representing a response rate of 85.5%. Graduates were happy about the programme, but suggested some improvements. A summary of recommendations is presented, supported by relevant literature.
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    Computer-assisted instruction in nursing education in South Africa
    (Unisa, 2011) Maboe, K.A.; De Villiers, L.
    Nurse educators function in a post-industrial, information and communication technology driven world. They are required to equip student nurses with the competencies to render healthcare in technologically advanced healthcare settings. Modern developments in information communication and educational technologies compel nurse educators to make a paradigm shift by redirecting the emphasis from traditional methods of instruction to computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and computer-based learning. This study investigated the nature of student nurses' exposure to CAI and computer-based learning, the perceived benefits of this exposure, as well as the challenges encountered. A quantitative, non-experimental, univariate, descriptive survey research design was utilised. The respondents comprised 172 second year and 119 third year student nurses. Although the respondents preferred CAI to traditional modes of teaching, evidence of ineffective CAI was portrayed in the findings. It is recommended that various educational computer packages that support mastery of subject content and the development of higher cognitive skills be accessed and utilised.
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    Critical care student nurses' experiences of clinical accompaniment in opendistance learning : a phenomenological approach
    (Unisa, 2011) Moleki, M.M.; Mogotlane, S.M.
    A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to explore and describe the experiences of critical care student nurses of clinical accompaniment in open distance learning (ODL) and to interpret the meaning attributed to these ODL experiences. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select participants. In-depth unstructured interviews were conducted with eight participants. Data were analysed thematically using activities described by Kvale (2002:48). The findings revealed that participants were aware of distance as a factor between themselves and the lecturer. The non-visibility of the lecturer was interpreted as a lack of support and guidance. Students in the clinical settings experienced a lack of recognition as intensive care student nurses compared to the support given to their counterparts doing the same course at residential institutions. As a result, the students' relationships with their preceptors amounted to requesting favours and exercising diplomacy in order to get assistance and guidance in the clinical situation. The recommendations include that student support could be enhanced by the lecturer's physical visibility, even if implemented through the use of technology. The training of critical care student nurses should be done on request of specific clinical institutions; memoranda of agreement should be in place and accreditation processes should be completed before any student intakes occur. Effective monitoring and evaluation systems should be adhered to.
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    Tuberculosis patients' perspectives on HIV counselling by lay counsellors vis-à-vis counselling rendered by nurses : an exploratory study in two districts of the Free State province, South Africa
    (Unisa, 2011) Kigozi, N.G.; Heunis, J.C.; Van den Berg, H.S.
    Due to the high rates of HIV / AIDS and TB, and the subsequent burden placed on the healthcare system that is further accompanied by severe shortages of nurses, the role of lay counsellors has become increasingly important in South Africa. This article reports about TB patients' perspectives on counselling rendered by lay counsellors vis-a-vis counselling rendered by nurses. Structured exit interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 600 patients across 61 primary healthcare facilities in the Free State province. Data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Except for coverage of the 'window period' topic, patients' perspectives on HIV counselling by lay counsellors compared with nurses did not significantly differ in respect of duration of counselling, coverage of other HIV counselling topics and conduct of counsellors. However, 55.0% (n=126) of patients counselled by a lay counsellor would have preferred a nurse, while 42.9% (n=48) of those counselled by a nurse would have preferred a lay counsellor. The findings suggest relative satisfaction with counselling provided by both types of counsellors. Expanded use of lay counsellors in TB / HIV programmes could help mitigate the human resource crisis that has resulted primarily from shortages of nurses. National TB and HIV / AIDS policies need to acknowledge and clarify the role of lay counsellors to facilitate their extended utilisation in TB / HIV services.
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    Diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis in children under the age of five in South Africa
    (Unisa, 2011) Banda, T.M.; Smith, J.E.; Du Toit, H.S.
    A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive design was used to investigate the challenges of diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in children under the age of five at 19 primary healthcare (PHC) clinics in the Ethekwini Health District in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 38 respondents and descriptive statistics were used to analyse and summarise the data. The results showed PHC nurses did not have adequate knowledge to effectively diagnose PTB in children, and that PHC clinics were not adequately equipped to effectively diagnose PTB in children. Recommendations included regular in-service training programmes on the diagnosis and management of PTB in children, regular audits of tuberculosis records by clinic supervisors, supply of standard equipment for diagnosis of PTB in children, simplifying of protocols for diagnosis and management of PTB in children and the inclusion of the management of PTB in children in the curriculum of professional nurses' training