Strategies to enhance graduate throughput of student nurses in Limpopo College of Nursing, South Africa

Abstract

Graduate throughput of student nurses is one of the priorities of the National Department of Health in Republic of South Africa. New nurse graduates are expected to curb the obvious shortage of nurses in the nursing profession.The purpose of the study was to design the strategies to enhance graduate throughput of student nurses. The study design was quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive, research design. The study population included all student nurses who have repeated a level of study. Probability cluster random sampling was employed to select the respondents based on the examination results for both levels. Data were collected through a self-developed questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed to 239 respondents (167 student nurses and 72 nurse-educators were completed and returned and questionnaires were analysed) Ethical clearance was obtained from Turfloop Research Ethics Committee, Limpopo Province Department of Health Ethics Committee and Limpopo College Campuses management. The researcher ensured that measures of reliability and validity are adhered to and ethical principle for conducting research that involves human-beings was considered. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 for Windows. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse, describe and summarize data in which the findings were presented in the form of distribution tables, graphs and inferential statistics. The study revealed that poor academic performance and achievement of student nurses was caused by work overload, academic stress, anxiety, low morale, lack of dedication, prioritizing social activities and ill health.Strategies to overcome the causes of poor academic performance and achievement of student nurses were developed. The strategies are-; selection criteria, adequate resources and equipment, conducive-learning environment, student nurses counselling, student nurses discipline, academic curriculum, strategies and programs, innovative teaching strategies, expertise placement, in-service trainings, mutual student-nurse, nurse-educator relationship, adequate resources and equipment as well as awards and incentives.