A programme to facilitate critical thinking of community health nurse preceptors

M.Cur.In line with the requirements of the National Plan for Higher education, The Skills Development Act (Act 97 of 1998), The eight Batho Pele Principles 1997, The South African Qualifications Authority Act (Act 58 of 1995), The National Qualifications Framework, Outcomes Based Education and The South African Nursing Council, it is clear that there is a need for critical thinking in clinical nursing education in general and in professional nurses as preceptors in particular. The researcher has observed that the preceptors of a clinic in Region 7 Gauteng Province, use the traditional method of teaching (lecture method) during accompaniment of learners allocated to the clinic for their practica which hinders the facilitation of critical thinking. There is a need for preceptors to re-visit their teaching strategies and methods in order to facilitate critical thinking in clinical nursing education. Central to facilitation of critical thinking is the learner, and preceptors should create a climate where interactive facilitation takes place through dialogue and discourse. The aim of the study is to develop a programme to facilitate critical thinking of preceptors in clinical nursing education. For this aim to be realised the following objectives were met: To conceptualise in order to develop a programme to facilitate critical thinking of preceptors in clinical nursing education To implement and evaluate a programme to facilitate critical thinking of preceptors in clinical nursing education. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research design that is contextual in nature was followed according to two phases. In phase one of the study, conceptualisation of the main concepts namely critical thinking, interactive facilitation, clinical nursing education, preceptor, nursing process and the programme was done to ensure theoretical validity (Gift, 1997: 76).ii Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA, 1998: 3-6). Evaluation, limitations and conclusion of the study was described. Recommendations were discussed as they apply to nursing education, nursing research