Factors influencing absenteeism amongst student nurses at a public nursing college in Gauteng Province

Abstract: Worldwide, absenteeism amongst student nurses in healthcare facilities is a major challenge resulting in poor patient care in many health institutions, portraying a negative image of the nursing profession to the public. The concern is that if this problem persists, there will be fewer nurses completing their training successfully. The image of the nursing profession will continue to be perceived negatively by the public. The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the factors influencing absenteeism amongst student nurses in a public nursing college in Gauteng Province. The researcher thereby analysed and determined the correlational relationship between student-centred, home-related, school-related and social factors, and made recommendations to manage student nurses’ absenteeism. The research design that was used in this study was quantitative and descriptive. The sample included student nurses from level 1 to level 4 of their studies (n=229), registered at a nursing college in Gauteng Province for the R425 nursing programme. A structured self-administered questionnaire, Factors Influencing Absenteeism Questionnaire (FIAQ), was used to collect data. A total of 480 questionnaires were distributed to respondents at two nursing campuses at different levels of study, and 311 questionnaires were returned, giving a total response rate of 64.7%. Of the 311 returned questionnaires, 229 were found to be valid for analysis, giving a valid response rate of 73.63%. Descriptive statistical analysis, hypothesis testing and reliability testing were conducted and the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was used for analysing the research data. The results revealed both positive and negative responses from respondents on factors influencing absenteeism amongst student nurses at a public nursing college in Gauteng Province. In some instances, student nurses agreed and disagreed that certain variables influenced them to be absent from class. In general, results indicate vi that student nurses absent themselves from class due to student-centred factors, home-related factors, school-related factors and social factors (Tables 4.6 – 4.9). The FIAQ was reliable and consistent to measure absenteeism. Correlational analysis indicates that more positive relationships exist between various factors. Specific and general recommendations for nursing education, practice, policy and further research were made.M.Cur. (Nursing