Experiences of community service nurses and unit managers in a rural public hospital in Zululand district, Kwazulu-Natal province
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Date
2022
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Introduction
Community Service Nurses function under the Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005 and South African Nursing Council Regulation R765 of 24 August 2007. In South Africa, all nursing graduates who are citizens of South Africa should perform remunerated community service for one year, in public healthcare facility. The period of transition from being a student nurse to becoming a qualified professional nurse is often stressful. The nurses surfing through this transition sometimes feel inadequately prepared for the clinical environment.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to explore and describe the experiences of the community service nurses in the rural public hospital located in a rural area during their one year period of community service.
Methodology
A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design was conducted, using semi- structured interviews with (5) five Unit Managers and (8) eight Community Service Nurses. Purposive sampling was used. Data were analysed using thematic method of content analysis.
Results
Five themes and sub-themes emerged, the key themes being: inadequate human and material resources, supportive learning environment, and management of a clinical unit, allocation to nursing units and experience or role taking in leadership.
Conclusion
The community service nurses received inadequate supervision and support by experienced professional nurses in the various nursing units due to staff shortages. The challenge limited the CSNs’ opportunities to acquire clinical skills and competencies for delivery quality care to patients.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Nursing in the Department of Nursing Science at the University Of Zululand, 2022.