Perceptions of Registered Nurses Regarding their Role of Clinical Teaching of Student Nurses at State Training Hospitals in Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

Clinical teaching is an important component of nurses training in Namibia. It was however brought to light that student nurses do not always get the necessary clinical teaching support and guidance from registered nurses during clinical placement. Sometimes student nurses are left alone to carry out certain activities or care for patients on their own (Uukule, 2006). The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of registered nurses regarding their role of clinical teaching of student nurses at training hospitals in Windhoek. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the perceptions of registered nurses regarding their role of clinical teaching of student nurses at state training hospitals in Windhoek. A qualitative research design was adopted in the study and a total number of ten (10) registered nurses from the two training hospitals were interviewed. The study revealed that clinical teaching of student nurses at training hospitals in Windhoek is negatively affected by many factors, such as lack of human resources, lack of materials and equipment, workload, staff shortages as well as personal attitudes of both registered nurses and students. The following recommendations were made regarding the study: • Registered nurses as well as clinical instructors must receive refresher training on the clinical procedures to update their knowledge and skills. • Continuous professional development for Registered Nurses is recommended to prevent registered nurses lacking of updated knowledge. • It is recommended that the MOHSS, in collaboration with nursing training institutions develop clinical teaching manuals with well stipulated learning outcomes, to ensure uniformity in the training of student nurses during clinical placement. • MOHSS to consider additional remuneration of clinical instructors to motivate them in their clinical teaching role.