Exploring factors affecting some nursing trainees’ project work completion at the College of Community Health Nursing, Winneba

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to explore factors affecting nursing trainees’ project work completion in the College of Community Health Nursing, Winneba. The philosophical and theoretical perspectives or assumptions underpinning this study was interpretative worldview or constructivist epistemology. A five year trend analyses of the number of past students who could complete their project work was reviewed. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and phenomenological research design. The target population for this study consists of all nursing students at the College of Community Health Nursing in Winneba. A sample of ten (10) final year nursing trainees writing their project work were sampled through purposive sampling procedure. The instrument used in the data collection was semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed thematically. The study revealed that institutional–related factors contributing to nursing trainees’ inability to complete their research work were illequipped libraries on campus, inadequate computer and poor Internet accessibility at the computer labs, school calendar instability and lack of transparency in assessment of project work. Student–related factors contributing to nursing trainees’ inability to complete their research work were identified as poor time management, inadequate finance, lack of commitment and motivation to do the research, lack of training and experience in research methods and failure to meet regularly with the supervisor. It was discovered that irregular accessibility to supervisors, long delays in providing feedback on project work, little guidance and direction from supervisors and work load of supervisors were supervision–related factors contributing to nursing trainees’ inability to complete their research work. Finally, it was discovered through the respondents’ comments that well-equipped libraries on campus, adequate computers and good internet accessibility at the computer labs, regular workshops to train students in research methods and effective communication between supervisors and students were some of the mechanisms can be put in place to alleviate the challenges nursing students face concerning their research work. The study recommended that there is a need to review research methods courses offered in the college, in terms of contents and teaching approaches. If this is properly done, the weaknesses indicated by students are likely to be minimized. Secondly, the college should strive to subject all students to academic writing training, with a special focus on how to write research reports. The Government, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, should see to the provision of adequate computers and LCD projectors for the College of Community Health Nursing in Winneba. These facilities should not only be sufficient in number, but should also be of good quality.