Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
BackgroundThe increase in nurses enrolling in postgraduate programmes as well as the need to improve their completion requires academics to establish environments conducive for postgraduate studies. The challenges experienced during postgraduate studies have to be identified to establish conducive environments.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore and describe the challenges experienced by postgraduate nursing students enrolled in postgraduate coursework and research programmes at a South African university.MethodsAn exploratory, descriptive and qualitative design was used. The study was contextual in nature. Purposive sampling was used. Fifteen honours, master’s and doctoral students participated in the study. Data were analysed through qualitative content analysis and measures to ensure trustworthiness, and ethical implementation of the study were implemented.ResultsThree themes with categories were identified, namely personal challenges (i.e. finances, employment, family and accommodation), academic and institutional challenges (i.e. workload and time constraints, contact sessions, subject information and assessment) and research-related challenges (i.e. information literacy, supervisory relationship and supervisory structure and process).ConclusionInstitutional support addressing personal, academic and research-related challenges should be provided to enhance student experiences and completion.
Highlights
There has been a gradual increase in the number students enrolling into postgraduate programmes (Symons 2001)
The study was contextual in nature (Botma et al 2010) and was conducted in a nursing department of a specific university situated in South Africa
This study identified personal, institutional and research challenges as did a number of other studies (Clerehan et al 2012; Essa 2011; Shen 2008)
Summary
There has been a gradual increase in the number students enrolling into postgraduate programmes (Symons 2001) This has been the case for postgraduate nursing programmes (Honey, North & Gunn 2006). Personal motivation is related to enjoyment of the learning experience and increased social status (Perna 2004) This increased motivation for postgraduate qualifications in nursing creates a demand for it to be offered (Honey et al 2006) and increased capacity to do so at universities. The increase in nurses enrolling in postgraduate programmes as well as the need to improve their completion requires academics to establish environments conducive for postgraduate studies. The challenges experienced during postgraduate studies have to be identified to establish conducive environments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
