Tackling student nurses’ absenteeism in clinical settings: recommended interventions from South African registered nurses. A qualitative study
Abstract Background Student nurse absenteeism has become a significant challenge when allocated in clinical areas in public and private nursing higher education institutions worldwide. This study aimed to explore registered nurses’ recommendations for interventions to address student nurse absenteei...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Nursing |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03135-4 |
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| author | Thingahangwi Cecilia Masutha Mary Maluleke Lufuno Makhado Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa Mphedziseni Esther Rangwaneni Tinyiko Nelly Rikhotso |
| author_facet | Thingahangwi Cecilia Masutha Mary Maluleke Lufuno Makhado Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa Mphedziseni Esther Rangwaneni Tinyiko Nelly Rikhotso |
| author_sort | Thingahangwi Cecilia Masutha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Student nurse absenteeism has become a significant challenge when allocated in clinical areas in public and private nursing higher education institutions worldwide. This study aimed to explore registered nurses’ recommendations for interventions to address student nurse absenteeism in clinical settings in South Africa and to share their recommended strategies to mitigate this issue. Methods Employing an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual approach within a qualitative framework, the study engaged eleven volunteer registered nurses who were purposively selected. The study was conducted in three specialized mental health hospitals during the participants’ lunchtime. A pre-test of the instrument was done on two participants. Those participants and the pre-test results were not included in the main study. In-depth, individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with consented participants. Data were analyzed using Tesch’s eight-step thematic analysis method. Rigorous measures were implemented to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings and adherence to ethical principles. Results The analysis revealed one overarching theme: interventions to reduce student nurse absenteeism, which was further divided into four sub-themes: intensive clinical orientation for students, clear articulation of clinical objectives for students, re-fining student selection criteria, and addressing transportation challenges faced by students. Conclusions The findings highlighted that providing comprehensive orientation for student nurses, particularly in the clinical areas, could significantly tackle student nurses’ absenteeism. Based on these recommendations, it is advisable to conduct further mixed-methods approaches should be conducted to assess the long-term impact of interventions to mitigate the absenteeism of student nurses in mental health institutions. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c22e4e0116c94d699f312b162296aa98 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6955 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nursing |
| spelling | doaj-art-c22e4e0116c94d699f312b162296aa982025-08-20T01:51:39ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-05-012411810.1186/s12912-025-03135-4Tackling student nurses’ absenteeism in clinical settings: recommended interventions from South African registered nurses. A qualitative studyThingahangwi Cecilia Masutha0Mary Maluleke1Lufuno Makhado2Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa3Mphedziseni Esther Rangwaneni4Tinyiko Nelly Rikhotso5Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of VendaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of VendaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of VendaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of VendaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of VendaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of VendaAbstract Background Student nurse absenteeism has become a significant challenge when allocated in clinical areas in public and private nursing higher education institutions worldwide. This study aimed to explore registered nurses’ recommendations for interventions to address student nurse absenteeism in clinical settings in South Africa and to share their recommended strategies to mitigate this issue. Methods Employing an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual approach within a qualitative framework, the study engaged eleven volunteer registered nurses who were purposively selected. The study was conducted in three specialized mental health hospitals during the participants’ lunchtime. A pre-test of the instrument was done on two participants. Those participants and the pre-test results were not included in the main study. In-depth, individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with consented participants. Data were analyzed using Tesch’s eight-step thematic analysis method. Rigorous measures were implemented to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings and adherence to ethical principles. Results The analysis revealed one overarching theme: interventions to reduce student nurse absenteeism, which was further divided into four sub-themes: intensive clinical orientation for students, clear articulation of clinical objectives for students, re-fining student selection criteria, and addressing transportation challenges faced by students. Conclusions The findings highlighted that providing comprehensive orientation for student nurses, particularly in the clinical areas, could significantly tackle student nurses’ absenteeism. Based on these recommendations, it is advisable to conduct further mixed-methods approaches should be conducted to assess the long-term impact of interventions to mitigate the absenteeism of student nurses in mental health institutions. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03135-4AbsenteeismClinical settingsInterventionsRegistered nurses |
| spellingShingle | Thingahangwi Cecilia Masutha Mary Maluleke Lufuno Makhado Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa Mphedziseni Esther Rangwaneni Tinyiko Nelly Rikhotso Tackling student nurses’ absenteeism in clinical settings: recommended interventions from South African registered nurses. A qualitative study BMC Nursing Absenteeism Clinical settings Interventions Registered nurses |
| title | Tackling student nurses’ absenteeism in clinical settings: recommended interventions from South African registered nurses. A qualitative study |
| title_full | Tackling student nurses’ absenteeism in clinical settings: recommended interventions from South African registered nurses. A qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Tackling student nurses’ absenteeism in clinical settings: recommended interventions from South African registered nurses. A qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tackling student nurses’ absenteeism in clinical settings: recommended interventions from South African registered nurses. A qualitative study |
| title_short | Tackling student nurses’ absenteeism in clinical settings: recommended interventions from South African registered nurses. A qualitative study |
| title_sort | tackling student nurses absenteeism in clinical settings recommended interventions from south african registered nurses a qualitative study |
| topic | Absenteeism Clinical settings Interventions Registered nurses |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03135-4 |
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