Perceptions of newly appointed registered nurses regarding the nursing orientation programme in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A qualitative descriptive phenomenological research design was used to determine perceptions of the newly appointed registered nurses pertaining to the orientation programme at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Individual interviews were conducted to collect data, and the transcribed interviews were analysed using content analysis. The themes identified about the Orientation Programme included participants' voices regarding the orientation programme, the orientation programme as a powerful tool for skills development, feelings experienced by nurses after completion of the programme, and participants’ expectations and recommendations towards the orientation programme. The findings indicated that the registered nurses found the programme beneficial and that their competencies and skills to deliver safe patient care were enhanced. Participants also recommended that a more participatory approach be used. The study’s foreseeable limitations were that only newly appointed registered nurses were included, and the fact that the study was conducted in one tertiary hospital causing the findings, not to be transferred to other settings.

’n Kwalitatiewe beskrywende fenomenologiese navorsingsontwerp is gebruik om persepsies van geregistreerde rakende die oriënteringsprogram in ’n tersiêre hospitaal in Saoedi-Arabië te bepaal. Data is versamel met behulp van aangesig-tot-aangesig onderhoude. Die getranskribeerde onderhoude is met behulp van inhoudsanalise geanaliseer. Die temas wat oor die oriënteringsprogram geïdentifiseer is, sluit in die opinies van die deelnemers rakende die oriënteringsprogram, die oriënteringsprogram as 'n kragtige instrument vir die ontwikkeling van vaardighede, gevoelens wat verpleegkundiges ervaar na afloop van die oriënteringsprogram, en die verwagtinge en aanbevelings van die deelnemers. Die bevindings het aangedui dat die geregistreerde verpleegkundiges die program voordelig vind en dat hul vaardighede en vermoë om veilige pasiëntsorg te lewer, verbeter is. Deelnemers beveel ook aan dat 'n meer deelnemende benadering gebruik word. Beperkings van die studie was dat slegs pas-aangestelde verpleegkundiges deelgeneem het, en die studie was beperk tot een tersiêre hospitaal. Die resultate kan dus nie veralgemeen word nie.