The experiences of male nurses in midwifery clinical training at a regional hospital in the Eastern Cape

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of male community service officers during midwifery clinical training. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used in order to achieve the study objectives. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Data analysis elucidated analogous themes and categories which translated into the overall experiences of the participants. The study found that whilst the experience was described as beneficial, there were overwhelming challenges in providing intimate care to female clients, dealing with ethno-cultural aspects, meeting clinical practice requirements and the right to choose to be part of midwifery clinical training. Recommendations to nurse educators, clinical midwives and midwifery clinical supervisors with regard to better support for male nurses during midwifery clinical training emanated from the study findings