Psychiatric Clinical Placement: Agony for College Nursing Students in South Africa

Thingahangwi Cecilia Masutha (), Mary Maluleke, Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa, Takalani Eldah Thabathi, Mphedziseni Esther Rangwaneni, Ndivhaleni Robert Lavhelani, Duppy Manyuma, Lufuno Martha Kharivhe and Tshinanne Gladys Thandavhathu
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Thingahangwi Cecilia Masutha: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Mary Maluleke: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Takalani Eldah Thabathi: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Mphedziseni Esther Rangwaneni: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Ndivhaleni Robert Lavhelani: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Duppy Manyuma: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Lufuno Martha Kharivhe: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Tshinanne Gladys Thandavhathu: Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-9

Abstract: (1) Background: Clinical placements in psychiatric nursing science (PNS) are as important as other placements in any discipline in nursing education as they allow students to correlate theory to practice. Nursing students’ absenteeism has become a grave concern in psychiatric institutions in South Africa. This study investigated the clinical factors leading to student nurses’ absenteeism in the Limpopo College of Nursing during the psychiatric nursing science clinical placement. (2) Methods: A quantitative approach using a descriptive design was followed, where 206 students were purposively sampled. The study was conducted at the Limpopo College of Nursing situated in Limpopo Province, with five campuses offering a four-year nursing program. College campuses were used to access students since this was an easy way of accessing them. Data were collected through questionnaires of structured questions and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout. (3) Results: The correlation between clinical factors and absenteeism was determined. The main reported factors for absenteeism were student nurses being treated as a workforce in the clinical areas; shortage of staff in the clinical areas; inadequate supervision of student nurses by professional nurses; and being inconsiderate of student nurses requests for days off in the clinical area. (4) Conclusions: The findings revealed that student nurses’ absenteeism is caused by different factors. The Department of Health should find a way of not overworking students due to a shortage of staff in the wards but consider them for experiential learning. A further qualitative study should be conducted to develop strategies to mitigate student nurses’ absenteeism in psychiatric clinical placement.

Keywords: clinical placement; agony; college; psychiatric hospital; student nurse (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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