Attrition of Indigenous nursing students due to the cultural shock they face in the clinical educational program

Abstract

Abstract Background:The number of student nurses leaving the training in the first year is increasing, and one of the reasons could be the fear of facing reality like death and dying. This study aimed to explore first-year African indigenous student nurses' experiences with death and a patient dying in the clinical area. Method:Qualitative research method was employed, and data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from African indigenous student nurses during their first year of study. Thematic analysis of the responses provided by nine participants revealed four themes and nine sub-themes. Themes included knowledge, emotional trauma, low self-esteem, and nutritional disorder. Results:Results revealed lack of experience, emotional trauma, low self-esteem, and nutritional disorder as the main effects among these nurses. Negative attitudes of clinical professionals, shortage of staff, and congested block programs were identified as some courses of attrition. Conclusions:Findings suggest the need to review the curriculum for first-year student nurses. In addition, professional clinical nurses who serve as preceptors are trained as mentors of these student nurses. Students felt overwhelmed by this experience which can be attributed to indigenous belief systems about death and dying. Most of these nurses come to nursing without seeing a dead or dying person because they believe that the evil spirit surrounds a dead person until they have reached a certain age.