/library/oar/handle/123456789/21513 2026-06-20T02:02:08Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/107272 Title: Student nurses' perceptions of their clinical allocations in acute care settings : a phenomenological study Abstract: The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the clinical experience from a nursing students' point of view. This was done in light of the view that major reforms have taken place within nurse education in Malta in the past years. In light of these reforms, the study aimed to highlight the importance of clinical education in becoming a nurse. This aim of this study was to explore the feelings and experiences of nursing students regarding their clinical practice areas using a phenomenological approach through a Husserlian perspective. Data was collected from a purposive sample of fifteen final year Bachelor of Nursing Students, attending the Institute of Health Care at the University of Malta using a tape-recorded semi-structured interview. Data analysis was done following Colazzi's framework and three major themes were extracted. These were student nurses' relationships with staff, the ward environment and their experience of mentorship. These were further sub-divided into sub-themes. Participants spoke of both negative and positive experiences while on medical and surgical wards and expressed their struggle with being accepted on the wards and their relationships with staff, coping with the organization they work in and practicing what they learnt. They described all this in relation to learning and becoming competent practitioners. It was found that students do not look favourably at medical wards and would not choose them as places to work on in the future. An aspect which was also highlighted was the lack of mentorship received and also the importance of mentorship as support to the nursing student while in the clinical area. These findings were discussed in relation to other literature. It was found that most of the experiences were not unique to Maltese nursing students. Limitations of the study are discussed and tentative recommendations based on the findings were done in order to help improve or make the clinical experience, as effective as possible for the student. It is important to note that the intention of this study was to find out what these perceptions were and not to develop a hypothesis or to generalise or predict future trends. Description: M.SC.NURSING 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/68311 Title: Exploring the knowledge and attitudes of young adults towards blood donation Abstract: Blood has always been identified to have a therapeutic effect on the body. The World Health Organisation recommends countries to achieve blood only from voluntary non-remunerated donors since the incidence of blood borne disease is lower than that of paid blood donors. Hence, in order to enhance compliance and achieve a safe pool of blood, it is imperative for blood banks to gain an insight on the public's attitudes and knowledge in the field of blood donation. Hence, the aim of this descriptive study is to explore the knowledge and attitudes of young adults towards blood donation. Quantitative and some qualitative data was collected using non-coded mailed questionnaires administered to a random sample of 45 Maltese university students, aged between 18 and 25 years. A response rate of 71 % was obtained. This study revealed that donating blood is not a common practice amongst young adults. Furthermore, it is much less common amongst females. Moreover, most blood donors identified altruism as the main reason to why they donate blood. On the other hand, fear was found to be the most common barrier to donating blood amongst non-blood donors. In addition, non-cash benefits were found to be more affective than remuneration in getting young adults to donate. Moreover, certain misconceptions are still present in the young adult population. Finally, donating blood did not seem to increase the level of knowledge of blood donors. In the light of these findings, various recommendations for practice and research were issued. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/68126 Title: The role of the father during childbirth Abstract: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the role of the fathers during childbirth. A purposeful sample of twelve fathers who attended childbirth was chosen for the study. Data· was collected through tape-recorded semi-structured interviews conducted in the post-natal ward of the local general hospital, one or two days following birth. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the phenomenological method proposed by Moustakas (1994). Findings indicated that the fathers were present during birth mainly to provide emotional support to their partners and to witness the birth of their child. Some of the first-time fathers were feeling unprepared for the experience, while the second time-fathers were feeling prepared, as they already had an experience of childbirth. The fathers found childbirth an emotionally highly charged experience. The first stage of labour was found to be more stressful than the actual birth. Fathers were worried and afraid because they did not know what to expect during childbirth. Seeing their wife in pain aroused feelings of sadness, frustration, fear, helplessness and guilt. However, the second stage of labour, the birth of the baby, was characterized by positive feelings, as the fathers were happy to see and hold the baby for the first time. Moreover, they were relieved and grateful that there were no complications for their partner and the baby. All the fathers, except one believed that participating during childbirth was beneficial to them and their partners. They responded that their attendance during childbirth helped their partner feel more relaxed, gave her a sense of well-being, security and ability to cope better with the pain. Moreover, the fathers felt rewarded and had a sense of achievement from participating during childbirth. It was interesting to find that not all the fathers considered their participation during childbirth as beneficial in strengthening the bond with their wife and the baby. The study recommendations include the need for reorganization of the antenatal classes to prepare better the fathers regarding the realities of the labour and ways of being helpful during childbirth. Moreover, nurses and midwives should pay more · attention in providing support and guidance to the fathers during childbirth. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/67175 Title: Pregnant women's experience of exercise during pregnancy Abstract: This study explored the pregnant women's experience of exercise during pregnancy. The objectives of the study were to establishing whether Maltese pregnant women exercise during pregnancy, determine in which way exercise is performed, find out if exercise helps the pregnant women to increase their body image satisfaction and determine what information is given to pregnant women on exercising during pregnancy. Literature on exercising during pregnancy is vast; however, little literature was found on the actual behavior and believes of pregnant women on exercising during pregnancy. In this descriptive small scale survey, a self-administered semi structured questionnaire was built on the literature review to fulfill the study's aim. Thirty pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic in a local hospital were included in the study. A 100% response rate was obtained. Results revealed the experience of the participants of exercise during pregnancy. The majority exercised during pregnancy and performed exercises in congruence with the recommendations of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). However, pregnant women lack information on the precautions needed while exercising during pregnancy. This was noted as well when analyzing data about pelvic floor exercises. Moreover, it was found out that during pregnancy women were less satisfied with their body image then before pregnancy even though they exercised during their pregnancy. These results were discussed and compared to the literature in order to focus on the objectives of the study. Limitations exists which makes the results limited to this group of pregnant women. Recommendations include the need to improve the quality and quantity of information giving about exercising during pregnancy and to carry out an I explorative experimental study on the experience of Maltese pregnant women on exercise during pregnancy. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z