Clinical placement experiences by undergraduate nursing students in selected teaching hospitals in Ghana

Peter Adatara,Stella Boatemaa Addo,Awube Menlah,George Sedinam Boni,Ernestina Armah,Confidence Alorse Atakro,Isabella Garti

doi:10.1186/s12912-018-0325-8

Abstract

BackgroundIn meeting the global standard of patient safety, quality care and nursing leadership, countries are urged by the World Health Organisation to have a greater proportion of nurses educated to degree level or higher. However, some researchers have found that there are very little differences in competencies of diploma registered nurses and first degree nurses in some countries. University education in nursing remains problematic and there are many disparities in the programmes currently being offered in different parts of the world. Though teaching hospitals in Ghana are expected to assist in the training of undergraduate nursing students, there is limited scientific evidence on experiences of undergraduate nursing students in these teaching hospital environments. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of undergraduate nursing students in selected teaching hospitals in Ghana.MethodsA qualitative explorative descriptive design was used in conducting the study. Purposive sampling technique was utilised in collecting data from thirty-five undergraduate nursing students placed in two teaching hospitals in Ghana. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview guide and analysed manually by the research team. A thematic content analysis was used in analysing data.ResultsFour main categories of themes were extracted from data. These themes were: 1. Feeling isolated in clinical placement. 2. Inadequate application of the nursing process. 3. Encounter with complex medical devices and complex conditions. 4. Inadequate application of physical examination by nurses.ConclusionThere were both positive and negative experiences by undergraduate nursing students in teaching hospitals in Ghana. The opportunity to see various clinical cases and also use complex medical devices were positive experiences for students. However, the undergraduate nursing students also experienced challenges of isolation in placement, inadequate application of the nursing process, and inadequate application of physical assessment by nurses. Undergraduate nursing students require varying levels of support, supervisory commitments and logistics provisions to learn skills such as physical examination and nursing process during placement.

Highlights

In meeting the global standard of patient safety, quality care and nursing leadership, countries are urged by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to have a greater proportion of nurses educated to degree level or higher [1]
Research evidence available indicates that clinical placement is an important part of the undergraduate nursing programme in the preparation of students for entry into the nursing profession [5, 6] as it provides undergraduate nursing students with the opportunity to learn within clinical practice environments in real life situations [7]
Several studies have stated that the incompetence of instructors, negative attitudes of staff, inadequate students support from hospital management and shortages of positive role models [11, 12, 5] were predominant among the challenges experienced by undergraduate nursing students during clinical placements

Summary

Introduction

In meeting the global standard of patient safety, quality care and nursing leadership, countries are urged by the World Health Organisation to have a greater proportion of nurses educated to degree level or higher. Though teaching hospitals in Ghana are expected to assist in the training of undergraduate nursing students, there is limited scientific evidence on experiences of undergraduate nursing students in these teaching hospital environments. Several studies have stated that the incompetence of instructors, negative attitudes of staff, inadequate students support from hospital management and shortages of positive role models [11, 12, 5] were predominant among the challenges experienced by undergraduate nursing students during clinical placements. Though teaching hospitals in Ghana are expected to assist in the training of undergraduate nursing students, there is limited evidence on experiences of undergraduate nursing students in these teaching hospital environments.

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion