An evaluation of clinical facilitation in the Nursing College of the Eastern Cape province
Date
2008-03
Authors
Peter, Zingiwe Patricia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Clinical teaching and training is undertaken to correlate theory and practice (Mellish
et al., 1998:211). Clinical teaching is the means by which student nurses learn to
apply the theory of nursing in a clinical situation so that an integration of theoretical
knowledge and practical skills in the clinical situation becomes the art and science of
nursing. (Mellish et al., 1998:207). The role of the lecturer/facilitator is to bridge the
theory-practice gap between nursing education and practice. Since the merger of the
nursing colleges in the Eastern Cape Province (South Africa) and the abolishment of
the clinical department in the hospital it became essential to evaluate the clinical
facilitation needs of students and tutors.
For the purpose of this study the researcher evaluated the clinical facilitation, with the
focus area being on the clinical needs and problems of nursing tutors and nursing
students at a nursing college in the Eastern Cape Province.
The objectives of this study were to determine the following: the clinical facilitation
needs of student nurses of the Nursing College, clinical facilitation needs of tutors of
the Nursing College, clinical facilitation related problems facing student nurses and
tutors in the Nursing College and associations between the clinical facilitation of the
campuses of the Nursing College.
The following research question was evaluated: What are the needs and problems of
nursing students and tutors in clinical facilitation at the Lilitha Nursing College?
The research methodology was a descriptive exploratory design with a quantitative
approach. The population for this study was the fourth-year nursing students, and all
tutors of the nursing college.
A convenient sample was drawn. All students available at the time of data collection
were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data.
The final sample of students was N =100 (45%) of a total population of 222 students.
The final sample of tutors was N=35 (36%) of a population of 97. Reliability and validity were assured by means of a pilot study and the use of experts
in nursing education, research methodology and statistics. Data were collected
personally by the researcher.
Ethical approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University, Department of Health
ECP, and Head of the Nursing College and Principals of the campuses. Informed
written consent was obtained from the participants.
Statistical associations with reference to clinical facilitation between the various
campuses of the nursing college were determined using the Chi-square tests. The
results of this study are presented in percentages, tables and histograms.
On completion of the study the following recommendations were made:
standardization of policies and procedures; preplanning and publishing of clinical
placement dates; manuals, rules, student needs and outcomes be available before
clinical placement; improvement of communication between clinical staff, facilitators
and students; improvement of infrastructure, equipment and materials.
Description
Thesis (MCur (Nursing Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008.
Keywords
Clinical teaching and learning, Clinical facilitation, Clinical assessment, Nurses -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, Mentoring in nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, Dissertations -- Nursing, Theses -- Nursing