Masters Degrees (School of Nursing)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (School of Nursing) by Advisor "Joubert, Annemarie"

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    The experiences and expectations of registered nurses in Lesotho regarding perfomance appraisal
    (University of the Free State, 2005-05) Lethale, 'Mateboho Ntsoaki; Joubert, Annemarie
    English: There is a human tendency to make judgements about those one is working with, as well as about oneself. Performance appraisal seems to be both inevitable and universal. With its absence, people tend to judge the work performance of subordinates naturally, informally and arbitrarily. A qualitative study was undertaken to explore and describe the experiences and expectations of registered nurses in Lesotho regarding performance appraisal. Recommendations are made according to the results of the study and these will assist the NGOs which were part of this study and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Lesotho in the planning and implementing of the performance appraisals of registered nurses. Six phenomenological focus group interviews were conducted within the selected institutions to ascertain the participants’ experiences and expectations in relation to performance appraisal. The meaning of these experiences and expectations was also explored. Basic steps in qualitative analysis as outlined by Ulin, Robinson, Tolly, & McNeill (2002) were used to analyse the data. The participants reported various experiences regarding performance appraisal. They reported experiences such as an increase in motivation and performance, receiving training, gaining insight into their own performance and being able to refer problems to supervisors as a result of performance appraisal. There were also feelings of dissatisfaction such as performance appraisal being seen as a threat, a lack of commitment, poor appraisal skills, unreliable instruments, no benefits, unclear purpose and the poor administration of performance appraisals. They also expressed their expectations regarding performance appraisal. Most of them would like the organisations to clarify the purposes of performance appraisals and their involvement in them. Both appraisers and appraisees should be trained in performance appraisal. The instruments should be reviewed, consistency in the appraisal process should be ensured and organisational decisions should be based on the results of the appraisal. The poor attitude and weak appraisal skills, inconsistencies in the appraisal process, the unclear purpose, the inability of appraisers to provide feedback and do follow-up, and also organisational decisions such as salary increments not based on the results of appraisal, were a concern across all the focus group interviews. Recommendations were made in view of both the experiences and expectations of these registered nurses. The organisation should define and clarify the purpose and the relationship between appraisal, performance and rewards, the results of the performance appraisal should be analysed and used for making organisational decisions. The full involvement of appraisees, the training of both appraisees and appraisers, more frequent appraisals throughout the year, the development and availability of standards of nursing care, the review and development of appraisal instruments, and further research are needed.
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    Perceptions of tutors and student nurses on factors that influence academic performance at a nursing college
    (University of the Free State, 2013-01) Jafta, Motlatsi George; Joubert, Annemarie
    Academic performance appears to be a problem, not only at nursing colleges, but at all academic institutions. An overloaded curriculum, a heavy workload, crowded classes, lack of equipment and scarce resources, amongst others, seem to be the problem. The study was conducted to determine the factors that influence students’ academic performance at a nursing college. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used. Two samples, namely tutors and student nurses in the first year of their four-year diploma programme, were obtained. Both groups were English-speaking and available at the time of the study. Two questions were posed to the target groups. Firstly: “What are the factors that influence academic performance at the college?” Secondly: “What can be done to improve the academic performance of the students at the college?” Informed consent was obtained after the purpose of the study had been explained to the participants. Consent to conduct the study was also obtained from the Head of the Department of the Free State Department of Health. The eight steps identified by Tesch (1990), as cited in Botma, Greeff, Mulaudzi and Wright (2010: 224), was used during the process of data analysis. The researcher then did a literature review to support the outcome. During focus-group interviews, tutors indicated that the type of students selected for training was not committed enough to become competent professional nurses. Some of the tutors were concerned that students only applied to the nursing college to receive bursaries. The bursaries were then misappropriatedfor personal use, instead of being used for their studies. According to tutors, students only applied for training because they had not been admitted at other institutions which offeredthe courses of their choice. Tutors also complained that, due to administrative responsibilities, they lacked the time to accompany students in the clinical areas. The students identified several factors. They mentioned, for example, that the transition from high school to college and the resultant workloadhad a negative impact on their studies. More freedom at the college and the fact that they no longer studied under the strict supervision of their parents, were also mentioned as factors. Furthermore, it seemed that the study methods that were successful at high school did not have the same effect at college. Students also complained about the appalling living conditions at the nurses’ home. Poor hygienic conditions and unbearable noise levels, the lack of security, and a feeling of not being safe were mentioned. The lack of confidentiality when they consulted the student counsellor also added to students’ dissatisfaction. A concern was that confidential information would later be disclosed to other students and tutors. Finally, the researcher’s recommendations were to address the most important factors, such as the management of bursaries and accommodation of students and to ensure that a strategic plan would be developed to improve academic performance.
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    The perceptions of voluntary aids caregivers concerning hospice managers' provision of support
    (University of the Free State, 2003) Gxabuza, Rosina Nomathamsanqa; Joubert, Annemarie
    English: The challenge of HIV/AIDS is a global issue. Instead of decreasing the number of people infected with the disease is increasing. Fortunately we have men and women who volunteer to fight the increase of this pandemic. These heroes and heroines are voluntary AIDS caregivers who are the mainstay of care of people with AIDS. However, the fact that caregivers suffer from loneliness and social isolation related to stigma and discrimination cannot be ignored (cjFlaskerud & Tabora, 1998:21). Voluntary caregivers could benefit from the opportunity to express basic emotions concerning financial, emotional, physical issues and an open line of communication should be in place. Providing an avenue for emotional expression may enhance both physical and mental health to voluntary AIDS caregivers. This is a qualitative study undertaken to explore the perceptions of voluntary AIDS caregivers concerning hospice managers' provision of support. An explorative, descriptive, contextual and qualitative design was used to determine the perceptions of AIDS caregivers concerning hospice managers. Voluntary AIDS caregivers were selected from hospices of the Motheo District. A pilot study was conducted prior to the commencement of the main study. This resulted in paraphrasing the central question as in the "grand tour" (Spradley, 1980:49), Marrow and Smith (1995:42) who ask question such as; "Tell me about your self." Initially two focus groups were selected, comprising of ten participants in each group. Participants were requested without leading them to give detailed information during interviews. Saturation principle was not reached with the two focus groups, as there was no redundancy of information. Subsequently two more focus groups were selected in an endeavor to reach the required saturation point. Eventually four focus groups participated in the study. Data collected was analysed according to Tesch [1990] in Creswell (1994:155) and also by making use of the N VIVO program, a design for qualitative research used to ensure that the complex data was correctly and systematically analysed. The data analysis was followed by a literature control. The findings with regard to the perceptions of voluntary AIDS caregivers concerning hospice managers' provision of support did not differ significantly in personal and vocational support that were identified as main categories. The researcher made recommendations and suggestions were made by voluntary AIDS caregivers are easy to follow and implement. Limitations encountered are discussed.
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    Reported needle stick injuries amongst health care workers in regional hospitals in the Free State Province
    (University of the Free State, 2009-11) Nophale, Letshego Elizabeth; Roos, Cherie; Joubert, Annemarie
    English: The aim of this study was to investigate reported needle stick injuries amongst health care workers in regional hospitals in the Free State Province during the time period January 2006-September 2007. Needle stick injuries were defined as any injury caused by different types of needle devices, irrespective of the purpose of use. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive and retrospective design was used. Data was collected through an interview using a questionnaire. The total population interviewed was 100 health care workers, namely doctors; professional nurses; staff nurses; auxiliary nurses and general assistants. Descriptive statistics, namely frequencies and percentages for categorical data, medians and percentiles for continuous data were calculated and compared by means of 95% confidence intervals for all categories of health care workers. The results of the study indicated that health care workers are at risk of sustaining needle stick injuries in the course of their work. The reported causes of the needle stick injuries were issues related to policy non-compliance, coupled with the use of unsafe needle devices. Ninety-nine health care workers (91.92%) were aware of the needle stick injury policy, eighty health care workers had in-service training (80%) on the prevention and eighty-three health care workers had in-service training on the management of needle stick injuries (83%). Fifty general assistants (50%) reported needle stick injuries due to wrong disposal of used needles. Injection needles (47%) accounted for the majority of needle stick injuries. A total of eighty health care workers (80%) reported two to six times occurrences of needle stick injuries. The peak time of needle stick injuries reported was between 07:00-10:00 for all health care workers, except for doctors. Less needle stick injuries were reported between 19:00-23:00 (8.42%:n=8/95) and between 23:00-06:00 (6.32%:n=6/95). Health care workers (85%:n=85) received post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within two hours post needle stick injuries. The findings indicated that there is a need to address the needle stick injury “policy implementation” and “review” to include updated exposure prevention strategies. Continuous training of health care workers and evaluation of such interventions should be done to reduce the exposure to needle stick injuries. Policy compliance needs Management support and a team approach.