Experiences and support of the newly-qualified four-year trained professional nurses placed for remunerated community service in Gauteng province

Abstract

A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was conducted to explore and describe the experience and support received by newly-qualified four-year trained professional nurses while placed for remunerated community service in Gauteng province. Purposive sampling was used and five focus group interviews were conducted. Each focus group consisted of six to ten participants who had completed the four-year training programme and were qualified as nurses (general, psychiatric and community) and midwife placed for remunerated community service in Gauteng province (South African Nursing Council R425 of 22 February 1985). Data was analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Two main themes emerged from the study and formed the basis of the discussion. The themes are “various experiences of the newly-qualified four-year trained professional nurses” and “support received by the newly-qualified four-year trained professional nurses”. Community service nurses reported mixed experiences such as feeling good and bad during community service placement. The majority of participants reported that remunerated community service placement is risky and it requires one to take chances. Furthermore, participants referred to remunerated community service placement as a scary venture at first but eventually they mastered practical activities. Support received by community service nurses varied from adequate, inadequate, incidental and lack of support. Community service nurses reported bad staff attitudes, severe staff shortage and that they were subjected to adverse events and low salaries. Recommendations to enhance community service placement were outlined for the following stakeholders: South African Nursing Council, Department of Health, nursing colleges, universities and managers of the health facilities. Copyright