Browsing by Author "Maina, Gatimu Samwel"

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    Assessing The Impact of A Partnership‐Based Work/Study Nursing Upgrade Programme in a Low‐ and Middle‐Income Setting.
    (Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2018) Brownie, Sharon; Maina, Gatimu Samwel; Wahedna, Abdul Haq; Kambo, Isabel; Ndirangu, Wambui Eunice
    Aims and objectives: To evaluate the 15‐year impact of the work/study nursingupgrading programme in East Africa.Background: Working nurses in Africa are often primary family income earners, withlimited ability to leave jobs and upgrade qualifications. In 2001, the university estab-lished a work/study upgrade programme for enrolled‐ and diploma‐level nurses,allowing them to upgrade their qualifications while continuing to work and supportfamilies. Donor partnerships provided scholarships to further increase programmeaccess.Design: A mixed‐method design was used involving an online alumni survey and 24interviews and 23 focus groups with 172 purposively selected representatives ofnursing graduates, employers, regulatory bodies, professional associations and seniornursing officials.Method: Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies and percentages. Induc-tive thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Equator guidelines informedreporting of both qualitative and quantitative results.Results: Of the 549 graduates who completed the survey, 81.2% (n = 446) werefemale, 93.1% were currently employed and 98% worked within East Africa. Theyreported improved professional competence (69.4%), nursing practice (25.9%) andpatient outcomes (4.6%) on graduation. Extracted themes included the following:flexible/accessible programme; friendly learning environment; effective teaching andlearning strategies; acquisition of nursing knowledge, skills and competencies; stake-holders’ role in the programme; career/professional advancement; and strengthenedhealth systems.Conclusion: The work/study programme was an effective nursing workforce capac-ity development strategy. Programme access was strengthened via the supportingdonor partnership. Positive outcomes were achieved with respect to the university'svalues of quality, access, relevance and impact.Relevance to clinical practice: Long‐term sustainable development of nurses andmidwives is fundamental to achieving sustainable development goals. Work/studyprogrammes and private–public partnerships are effective mechanisms to strengthenthe development of nursing and the overall healthcare workforce in low‐resourcesettings
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    Stakeholders’ Expectations of Graduates of a WorkStudy Nursing Upskilling Programme in East Africa.
    (Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 2020) Brownie, Sharon; Kambo, Isabel; Maina, Gatimu Samwel; Mwizerwa, Joseph; Ndirangu, Wambui Eunice
    Sound alignment of stakeholders’ expectations and graduate ability forms the reputational hallmark of a university’s education programmes. However, little is currently known about stakeholders’ expectations of graduates of work-study nursing upskilling programmes in low- and middle-income settings. Information is needed to ensure the quality and adequacy of curricula in such settings. The main aim of the current study was to explore the nursing stakeholders’ expectations of graduates of work-study nursing upskilling programmes. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted between March and October 2016 in three low- and middle-income countries in East Africa. Forty-two representatives of nursing employers, regulators and professional associations (PAs) participated. The data was collected during 27 key informant interviews (KIIs) and three focus group discussions (FGDs) using a pretested interview guide. Content analysis of the data was completed. Consolidated criteria for reporting of qualitative research guidelines were used as the standard for collecting data and reporting results. Stakeholders reported their expectations of a clinically and professionally competent nurse (an “all-round” graduate) with nursing management and leadership skills that facilitated sound clinical judgement and decision making and a high level of professionalism. The study highlighted nursing stakeholders’ expectations of nursing graduates who had completed a work-study upskilling programme. These expectations should inform curriculum planning and development, and highlight the need for a strong focus on clinical competence, leadership, critical thinking and professionalism in nursing upskilling programmes.