The Attitudes and Behaviors of Student Nurses on Clinical Practice at Uganda Martyrs Hospital, Lubaga, Kampala City: A cross-sectional.

Abstract

Background:

Attitudes of nursing students towards clinical work have been attributed to some factors. The study aims to examine the Interconnected Influence of Attitudes and Behaviors on Student Nurse Clinical Practice.

 Methodology:

A cross-sectional study design was used, and it utilized quantitative methods of data collection.

The study was carried out in Uganda Martyrs' Lubaga Hospital. The study targeted the nursing staff who worked with the student nurses in the care of patients in Uganda Martyrs' Hospital, Lubaga. The sample size was determined by the use of UNMEB research guidelines for diploma nurses, which gave a range of 30-60 respondents. A purposive sampling procedure was used, and it involved approaching staff nurses who took care of both inpatients and outpatients.

 Results:

The respondents 16(53.3%) reported that student nurses related to the patients fairly well, while a minority 5(16.7%) reported that student nurses related very well with the patients.  

Respondents 17(56.7%) reported that student nurses had a fair ability to show empathy to patients, while a minority of 1(3.3%) reported that some student nurses had a poor ability to show empathy to patients. 15(50%) reported that student nurses understood the element of keeping time to a small extent during practicum, while a minority, 2(6.7%), reported that some student nurses totally didn’t understand the element of keeping time during practicum. Respondents 20(66.7%) reported that student nurses definitely didn’t dodge practicum, while a minority of 2(6.7%) reported that some student nurses somehow dodged practicum.

 Conclusion:

Factors affecting the attitude of student nurses towards nursing practice included: a fair relationship with patients, which affected the wellness pattern of patients, and the poor ability of student nurses to show empathy to patients.

 Recommendations:

They should always remember to make the patients as comfortable as possible and minimize practicum absenteeism.