Authors: Malwela T, Maputle M.S and Lebese R.T
Nursing and Midwifery education takes place under nursing school (theory) and clinical placement (practice). Effective learning need classrooms, equipped libraries facilities, whilst conducive clinical areas with enough medical supplies, equipment and other material facilitate application of theory to practice. The aim of the study was to determine factors affecting integration of midwifery nursing science theory with clinical practice in Vhembe district, Limpopo province. A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used. Purposive sampling method was used to select 4 lecturers from Nursing College, and 18 level IV (Finalists) student midwives from training hospitals, in Vhembe district. Data from students were collected through three focus group interviews, whilst in-depth face to face interview was used to collect data from lecturers. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached and data were analysed through open coding method. Findings revealed that systems and organizational factors hindered the students to integrate theory with clinical practice when allocated for clinical learning experience. This included shortage of accommodation next to the training hospitals, shortage of medical supply, equipment’s and other materials. Student’s selection systems, shortage of classrooms, library facilities and dilapidated physical structures as well as short period of learning and clinical exposure. Recommendations were made on budget to erect or provide suitable accommodation within the college and next to clinical areas to accommodate students during their training, improve in their selection criteria, college’s physical infrastructure needs to be upgraded and to add more classes that will accommodate more students and the management need to advocate for accreditation of more training hospitals.
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