Factors leading to student nurse's absenteeism in the Limpopo College of Nursing, during psychiatric nursing science clinical placement

Abstract

Nursing students’ absenteeism has become a very serious concern in every higher educational institution in the whole world especially those of nursing. This study was conducted to investigate factors leading to student nurses’ absenteeism in Limpopo College of Nursing during Psychiatric Nursing Science clinical placement. A quantitative approach using descriptive design was used. Purposive sampling method was used to get a sample of two hundred and six (206) of students who have absented themselves before. Data was collected through a self-report scale in the form of questionnaires of structured questions, entered and analysed using SPSS version 24. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout. The correlation between clinical factors and absenteeism was determined. The main reported factors for absenteeism were: student nurses being treated as a workforce in the clinical areas; shortage of staff in the clinical areas; study for tests and examinations; inadequate supervision of student nurses by professional nurses; and being inconsiderate of student nurses request for days off in the clinical area. This study recommends that the college should make a provision of one week of study for student nurses between the period of clinical placement and tests or final examinations as most of the respondents indicated that they absent themselves due to study for tests and examinations. The Department of Health should find a way of not overworking students due to shortage of staff in the wards but consider them for experiential learning. A research study should be conducted to develop a model to reduce student nurses absenteeism.