Community Service Nurses’ Experiences at a Public Hospital in Tshwane District, South Africa

Abstract

The South African Nursing Council (SANC), in Regulation R765 of 2007, requires every newly qualified professional nurse trained in South Africa to perform remunerated community service in a public hospital for a period of one year before registration as a nurse. However, most newly qualified professional nurses placed in a certain public hospital in Tshwane district as community service nurses request to be transferred to other hospitals before the end of their placement term. The study adopted interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), which aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding of community service nurses’ experiences at a public hospital in Tshwane district, South Africa. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with 11 purposively selected community service nurses. Data were analysed using Smith’s IPA framework. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) limited material resources and a shortage of health care personnel; (2) poor interpersonal relationships; and (3) a lack of professional support during the placement of community service nurses at the public hospital under study. The findings imply a lack of hospital readiness and preparedness to offer a conducive environment for community service nurses to gain the required clinical experience and skills. This has a negative impact on the nursing profession, nursing education, and patient care. Recommendations are put forward focusing on the responsibilities of the Health Ministry and the SANC, mentorship, and the transformation of nursing curricula to be contextually relevant to the country’s health care systems and resources.