Newly graduated and experienced professional nurses’ perceptions of competency and clinical mentoring in selected hospitals in Lesotho

Abstract

Background: Clinical mentoring has been in the mouths and speculations of the old as well as current literature in the health sectors. There is evidence that it has always been the norm of the senior nursing professionals to look after and coach the new ones in order to achieve professional competency. There has been progress in the ways mentoring is done from traditional to more structured ways, mostly influenced by the increased demands in the healthcare sector. Designed and/or structured mentoring programmes have been effective in the improvement of quality nursing care and cost-effectiveness as well as staff efficiency and retention. It is important to hear both newly graduated and experienced professional nurses’ perceptions on clinical mentoring and competency. Aim: The aim of this research study was to explore and describe the perceptions of newly graduated professional nurses and experienced professional nurses (PNs) regarding clinical mentorship and competency. The aim formed part of helping to establish an unidentified lacuna, the addressing of which can be easily used to improve the health care systems in the country. Methodology: For the purpose of this research study, a qualitative descriptive research design was used to be able to understand and describe the perceptions of experienced and newly graduated PNs according to their own explanation and understanding. The research population included newly graduated PNs (less than 2 years after employment) and experienced PNs (more than 2 years after employment) working together with the newly graduated PNs. Purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were used for both groups. Individual semi-structured interviews were held with newly graduated PNs with a total of nine (n=9) (one hospital had n=4 and the other n=5) with a total population of twenty five (N=25) for both hospitals. While semi-structured focus group interviews were held with experienced PNs with total of eight (n=8) for both groups (each hospital had n=4) with a total population of fifty five (N=55) for both hospitals. Data was analysed through basic content analysis of categorising data and formulation of themes that led to easily describe participants experiences through their own voices. Ethical principles such as of respect for persons, beneficence and justice were also considered through getting an approval by all the appropriate bodies, all the participants signed an informed consent and protection of their identity was protected throughout the project. Findings: The findings firstly show a track or progression (trends that were found unique) in the perceptions of newly graduated professional nurses specifically, including their journey of being a newly graduated PN, referring to the employment system, their experience as new nurses, their experience around time, and their competence level. Secondly, findings from both newly graduated and experienced PN participants could be divided into three themes and their sub-

themes, namely: Standardisation of nursing competency; safe and cost-effective nursing care; and emphasis on persona and self-efficacy. These indicated that indeed there was a considerable lacuna in supporting newly graduated nurses so that they could smoothly gain confidence by being given the chance to apply their theory in actual practice. It is therefore recommended to the leaders of nursing in the country to engage urgent planning, restructuring and implementation of structured clinical mentorship. These will serve to lessen the burden on already strained nursing personnel who experience shortages and increased demands. It will also improve the image of the nursing profession in the country as well as nursing morale amongst nurses.