Abstract
BackgroundStudent nurse attendance during training is mandatory, and the South African Nursing Council (SANC) stipulates that students must attend 80% of hours for both theory and practice during their training. Unauthorised student nurse absenteeism, especially in the clinical areas, has become an increasing problem in nursing education institutions and in the universities. This study explored student absenteeism with the aim of generating solutions that are specifically relevant to the context of the Free State College of Nursing.ObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to describe perceived personal reasons and reasons related to clinical areas that contribute to student nurses’ absenteeism from the clinical areas and to explore the relationship between demographic data and reasons for absenteeism.MethodA quantitative research design with descriptive and exploratory strategies was used. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. One hundred and fifty-two student nurses were sampled after permission to conduct the study was requested and obtained.ResultsThe results showed that 72.4% of respondents agreed that students are absent because of physical illness. The majority of students (97.3%) at the selected campus are absent from clinical areas because they are covering staff shortages. The findings showed no particular relationship between gender and absenteeism as absenteeism was present throughout.ConclusionStudent nurses at a selected campus are generally absent at the clinical areas because they are physically ill and are funded for studying but not paid for working. It was recommended that accurate records of attendance should be kept and absenteeism rates be calculated at frequent intervals.
Highlights
Student nurse attendance during training is mandatory because it is a crucial requisite in the training and influences the learning outcomes and professionalism (Chukwu et al 2018:50)
The findings of the research indicated that when student nurses at the selected campus were absent at clinical areas, this was generally because they are physically ill, attend to family problems and are funded for studying but not paid for working
The findings showed that younger students ranging between 18 and 30 years were absent because they avoid certain wards with sick patients
Summary
Student nurse attendance during training is mandatory because it is a crucial requisite in the training and influences the learning outcomes and professionalism (Chukwu et al 2018:50). Absenteeism inhibits students to attain appropriate information and contact with relevant materials (clinical skills, lectures, practical session) that are required for effective learning to occur (Sharmin et al 2016:61). The Irish Nursing Council (An Bord Altranais 2009:18) stipulates that students must attend 100% of clinical placements each year, and students who have not satisfied this requirement may not progress in the programme. Student nurse attendance during training is mandatory, and the South African Nursing Council (SANC) stipulates that students must attend 80% of hours for both theory and practice during their training. Unauthorised student nurse absenteeism, especially in the clinical areas, has become an increasing problem in nursing education institutions and in the universities.
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