Experiences of final-year nursing students at a public college of nursing regarding their preparedness to become registered nurses
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe the experiences of final-year students at a public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, regarding their preparedness to become registered nurses and to recommend strategies to enhance the preparation of nursing students for transition. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design was utilised and a purposive sample of 27 final-year nursing students was selected to reach the objectives of the study. Unstructured focus group interviews were used for data collection. Tesch's method of qualitative data analysis was applied. The results indicated that most final-year nursing students experienced a lack of preparedness to assume the registered nurse's role with regard to certain factors, including curriculum-related aspects, equipment and library resources during their training. Some experienced adequate preparedness in relation to role competency such as patient care. Nursing students lacked confidence and expressed apprehension about meeting the performance expectations of the workplace. Therefore the identification of learning needs, their consideration, and contribution to the periodical review of the curriculum; reinstatement of clinical preceptors; standardisation of procedures; formulation of procedure manuals; and delegation of finalists for managerial duties were recommended.
Author: F. Mampunge
Language: English
Subfield: Research and Theory
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $20
OpenAlex ID: W2984738935