| dc.description.abstract | Earlier studies depicted the experiences of students in certain clinical learning areas, and particularly highlighted their experiences with regard to the factors that facilitated and obstructed their learning (Lofmark 2001: 43; Papp, Markanen and von Bondorff 2003: 263). However, less is known about these experiences in the military health fraternity. The study aimed at exploring and describing the military health nursing students‟ clinical learning experiences within both the military health and the public health setting. The South African Nursing Council,( R2175), stipulates the required time that students should complete in the clinical area to promote a learning climate that will avail opportunities and foster support to build confident and competent professionals on completion of training. An explorative, descriptive, contextual design, which is qualitative in nature, was employed to conduct the study. Focus groups were used as a measure of data collection. An experienced moderator facilitated the interviews in order to yield rich data with regard to these experiences. Four themes and twelve sub-themes emerged as both contributing positively and negatively to the learning experiences of students in the clinical area. The researcher engaged an independent co-coder in the analysis of data. After reaching consensus, data was analysed using Henning’s method of analysis, thus bringing greater clarity to the study. Conclusions drawn from this study by the researcher were that students needed an environment that will yield positive experiences with regard to their learning. More opportunities should be created for them to develop their expertise and competence in the profession, and, above that, a feeling of acceptance and belonging from the staff members should be cultivated. | en_US |
