Professional socialization as a curriculum component for training of Black nursing students at the University of Bophuthatswana

Abstract

The outcome of any nursing education system has a considerable impact on the everyday working lives of nursing students, as this influences their care~r prospects. Hence, this study was undertaken to detet1nine whether the existing elements in the nursing curriculum at the university of Bophuthatswana provide for optimal professional socialization of the modern nursing students during their education and training, and to reach conclusions by means of which recommendations can be made for inclusion in the nursing curriculum. The aims of this study were achieved by analysis of the professional socialization of nursing students. The influence the clinical professional nurse, nursing lecturer, clinical instructor; peer group, medical practitioner and the patient, as socializing agents on the content of the nursing curriculum was also analysed. Professional culture was placed in perspective and concepts culture, characteristics of the professional culture and the climate in the nursing culture were explored. Through empirical research, where a scientific structured and standardized questionnaire was used for collection of data, it was discovered that there were serious problems as far as the preparation of the nursing student is concerned. The views as expressed by respondents, namely nursing students enrolled for Bachelor of Nursing science degree at the University of Bophuthatswana, confirmed that the nursing student is not properly assisted and guided along the path of professional socialization to professional maturity for professional role-taking. It has transpired that poor interpersonal relationship, lack of emotional support, poor communication system and inadequate teaching-learning processes that prevail have a negative influence on the nursing student's professional image and consequently to the entire profession resulting in counter-productive professional socialization. In the light of the foregoing, recommendations have been made with the main objective of preparing the nursing student to become a fully fledged, competent nurse practitioner who is committed to a calling with the purpose of rendering service to mankind without discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, belief, colour, economic status, friendship or enmity; and capable of applying independent ethical judgement in any situation.