Development of a support model for the implementation of the new nursing qualifications in South Africa
Poto, Magdeline
The purpose of the study was to explore the preparedness of Public Nursing Colleges
(PNCs) in the implementation of the new nursing qualifications framework and
development of a support model to provide a blueprint for the implementation of R174
programme at PNCs in South Africa. The study was undertaken at thirteen (13) selected
PNCs in Gauteng, North-West, Free State and Limpopo provinces that are involved in
the implementation of the new qualification.
A multi-phase explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design was adopted. In
the first phase, the researcher collected qualitative data with the selected principals and
vice-principals, through a face-to-face semi-structured interview guide. In the second
phase, quantitative data was collected from 209 educators through a self-administered
and close-ended structured questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale. Sequential
data analysis was performed for the qualitative interview-based data by means of Tesch’s
eight-step method, while the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26
computer programme was used to analyse the quantitative data. The results revealed
that the participants found the support inadequate and reported various challenges,
despite constant involvement and support from different stakeholders. The challenges for
implementation of new nursing qualifications included: budget constraints for
procurement of resource materials; creation of posts and hiring staff for facilitation,
teaching and clinical support; lack of support from different bodies responsible for
programme accreditation; uncooperative and limited commitment by key role players;
lack of communication between clinical and academic settings; weak leadership and
governance in planning and oversight of the preparation process; ineffective
implementation of staff development programmes; inadequate funding and limiting capacity for admission of students; inconsistent Management of Information System
(MIS) practices, as well as infrastructure and technology-related problems such as poor
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities to realise the Fourth Industrial
Revolution (4IR).
The findings indicated the need for various support systems to enhance the
implementation of the new programmes in Public Nursing Colleges. Both phases
indicated the need for consistent involvement or strengthening collaboration of external
stakeholders in a formal quality assurance processes and upgrading of Information and
Communication Technology infrastructure. Phase I indicated the need for an improved
Management Information System and upgraded storage and logistics for handling
teaching and learning activities. Phase II indicated a need for common standards for
lecturers to support the implementation of the new qualifications, and for leadership and
governance weaknesses to be addressed to support the implementation process. Based
on the qualitative and quantitative findings, the researcher then developed a support
model for the implementation of the R174 programme at PNCs in South Africa. The
support model was examined and refined for content relevance, and accepted on the
basis of consensus expert nurse educators. The model was deemed important to assist
the PNCs to implement the new nursing qualification as informed by the reviewed
literature and participants’ recommendations
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