Communication methods to monitor students' absenteeism in the clinical learning environments at a selected nursing college in Gauteng Province

Abstract

Attendance of clinical practical is an important factor in the academic performance of nursing students on the basis that clinical content and teaching are important to develop their competence. However, student nurses absent themselves from the clinical learning environments, resulting in missed learning opportunities and shortage of mandatory regulatory hours. Therefore, in this study communication methods were determined on how it can assist to monitor and improve absenteeism among nursing students at a nursing college.

The aim of the study was to determine communication methods that can be used to monitor student absenteeism at a nursing college in the clinical learning environment. The study subsequently made recommendations on communication methods that can improve monitoring of absenteeism among nursing students.

The research design used in this study is a quantitative descriptive design. The sample included all the nursing students at the nursing college in Gauteng Province that were in all four academic levels of study. The target population was 1033 students and 60 lecturers while the expected sample size for students was 288. Two- stage sampling methods, stratified and systematic were used in selecting students who participated in the survey while total population sampling was used for lecturers’ respondents. Face validity, pilot study and Cronbach alpha were used to measure the questionnaires’ content validity, functionality, and reliability, respectively. After the pilot study, the data were collected using questionnaires for nursing students and lecturers. Chi-square test (χ²) for equal proportion technique was used to describe the demographic data, reason for absenteeism and communication method for monitoring absenteeism in terms of tables and graphs. Furthermore, chi-square test (χ²) for independence in a two-way contingency table was used to determine the relationship between the demographic data and reason for absenteeism and communication method for monitoring absenteeism. All data were analyzed using the SAS version 9.4 statistical software. The principles of research are beneficence, human dignity and justice and these principals were maintained throughout the study. The Cronbach alpha was used to test the reliability of the instrument and the same instrument was used for all respondents’ package.

The findings of the study revealed that the use of a contact person allocated to a student; use of contact hour forms; telephone calls; use of SMSs; and WhatsApp messages were the preferred methods of communication and can assist in the monitoring of absenteeism in the clinical learning environments.

KEYWORDS: Missed learning opportunity, clinical learning environment, clinical placement, nursing student, communication, absenteeism.