Table 3 KSAs needed NGRNs based on the perceptions of both nurse educators’ and final-year nursing students

Knowledge

Theoretical knowledge

Anatomy & physiology

Community nursing

Microbiology

‘I think basic anatomy, physiology, pharmacology’ (Nurse educator).

‘Community, where it talks about community’

‘Microbiology and biology.’

‘His body from the inside out.’ (Student)

Pharmacology

Patient safety

Management & administration

‘I think basic anatomy, physiology, pharmacology’ (Nurse educator).

‘Always make sure that you work safe, protect yourself, protect your patients.’

‘Everything that comes under Human Resources.’

‘Pharmacology, it’s a subject that teaches you about all the different types of drugs and how they work.’ (Student)

Midwifery

Biochemistry

Research

‘Able to deliver a baby.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Biochemistry is important.’

‘Many of them don’t keep up to date with new things coming out, new research.’

‘Foundation about maternity.’ (Student)

Sociology

Pathology

‘Sociology specific to us.’ (Nurse educator)

‘All the conditions, the pathology.’

‘Community we have sociology’. (Student).

Psychiatry

Intensive care

Follow-up of patients

‘Third level and fourth level with the psychiatric.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Fourth year, they … things like ICU.’

‘Do follow-ups if needed.’

‘We also do psychiatry for a year’ (Student)

Ethos of care

Clinical manifestations

‘Teach them the ethics, to link in with their knowledge and skills, and how to work with the patients.’ (Nurse educator)

‘The conditions, the pathology, the clinical manifestations.’

‘Ethos, that teaches you on how to present yourself.’ (Student)

Medication administering procedures and effects

Fundamental nursing

‘Know the effect of medication on the body’ (Nurse educator)

‘I think the knowledge they need to have all the basic skills.’

‘Know which medication helps for hypertension, these are the side effects and why do you use it.’ (Student)

Nursing diagnosis

Patient diagnosis

‘They have to be able to do basic diagnosis and treatment’ (Nurse educator)

‘They have to be able to do basic diagnosis and treatment.’

‘Basic nursing skills, you need to know in order to diagnose.’ (Student)

Diseases

Patient evaluation

‘Knowledge of the impact of the prominent diseases and ailments.’ (Nurse educator)

‘They need to know how to evaluate a patient.’

‘Let’s say a specific condition or a disease then immediately when that person presents then you would know.’ (Student)

Patient assessment

Patient needs

‘The independent (NQRN) must know how to do the assessment of that patient.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Knowledge of the person the needs of the patient.’

‘To deliver quality care to the patient you need to know how to assess.’ (Student)

Patient treatment

Ward and hospital functioning

‘Know how to issue treatment according to the illness of the patient.’ (Nurse educator)

‘They need to know how a ward functions and how a hospital functions.’

‘Know how to issue treatment according to the illness of the patient.’ (Student)

Patient referrals

Infection control

‘Should refer when it is necessary to refer that particular patient.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Infection control, it’s very important.’

‘So that you know this one (patient) I have to refer.’ (Student)

Community profile

‘Knowledge of the diseases and the profile and area that they are working in.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Especially the community, they don’t know much about the conditions that are around’ (Student)

Holistic care

Physical

Social

Quality patient care means caring for a patient in totality, which means you care for his or her physical wellbeing (Nurse educator).

‘Quality patient care means taking total care of the patients’ needs, the physicals, socials.’

‘Taking care of patient in every needs of the patient, physically.’ (Student)

Spiritual

‘It is if you nurse a patient holistically, spiritually.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Quality patient care, its nursing a patient like holy, spiritually.’ (Student)

Psychological

‘This includes the physical, psychological and spiritual.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Not just looking at his physical but also his psychological.’ (Student)

Emotional

‘Attended in all areas of his being, not only physical but also spiritual and emotional.’ (Nurse educator) ‘

It is to holistically care for the patient. You must care physically and emotionally.’ (Student)

Cultural diversity

Multilingual

Inclusiveness

Acceptance of cultural diversity

‘Also must try to be multicultural in terms of language.’ (Nurse educator)

‘You have to accept people regarding their culture, beliefs, race and sexuality.’

‘Their cultures differently, know how to deal with it, and the likes and dislikes of the patient.’

‘Improve English, for most of the nurses.’ (Student)

Code of conduct

Professionalism (image)

Professionalism (attitude)

‘Now you see nurses in theatre wearing rings, wearing these fake nails, wearing.’ (Nurse educator)

‘And your professional conduct.’

‘On how to handle the patients and how to present yourself.’ (Student)

Policies and procedures

Scope of practice

‘If a nurse knows what independent functions are, which are the practice of functions that a person do within realize of the law or regulations.’ (Nurse educator)

‘I think if you can know the policies, code of conduct.’ (Student)

‘I think if you can know the policies, code of conduct, scope of practice.’

Nurses’ rights

‘Their rights, [NGRNs] need to know their rights.’

Confidentiality and privacy

‘Towards my patients I must always treat them with dignity and respect and ensure privacy at all times and confidentiality.’

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Conflict management

Emotional intelligence

Interaction skills

‘Able to manage conflict.’ (Nurse educator)

‘I think she requires emotional intelligence.’

‘I think definitely interaction between people.’

‘I would say, both communication skills and conflict skills.’ (Student)

Communication

Accommodating

Patient relationships

‘You also need your interpersonal skills, like your communication.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Working together, accommodating each other.’

‘You would have to build a relationship with your patient.’

‘I think the communication skills are very important (Student)

Listening

Advocate for a patient

Calm

‘Really being able to listen to your patient, hear what they are saying.’ (Nurse educator)

‘We must advocate for the patient.’

‘When the patient is angry you must always be calm.’

You need to listen to what the patient is saying here.’ (Student)

Courtesy

‘You must treat everybody with courtesy.’

Respect

‘Respect humanity. It doesn’t matter their social class.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Respect in general if you can respect a patient then respect the others then you can provide the good patient care.’ (Student)

Team work

‘They must be able to cooperate within the team that they are working in, because if they don’t have that, then they don’t work together.’ (Nurse educator)

‘You are going to be working in a team.’ (Student)

Management skills

Leadership

Business skills

Administration

‘Management skill or leadership skill she has to display.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Will also have business skill.’

‘The admin of a clinic or a hospital.’

‘You must be a leader; you must know how to lead.’ (Student)

Management of a ward

Time management

Computer skills

‘And then another thing, for example, we, we should teach them how to run a ward.’(Nurse educator)

‘Specifically time management skills.’

‘You need to have computer skills, there are a lot of computer in it.’

‘You must know how to manage the ward and to schedule time off.’ (Student)

Administrative skills

Record keeping

‘Yes, record keeping is also very important.’

Report writing

‘They need to have good writing skills, clear writing and good report.’

Practical skills

Insertion of intravenous drip

Performance of general nursing procedures

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation

‘Insertion of the intravenous drip.’ (Nurse Educator)

‘They should be able to perform different procedures.’

‘There is a procedure of CPR and then they say practice on a doll.’

‘Able to put a drip (Student)

Administering of an injection

Immunisations

Management of aggressive patients

‘To give an injection on the buttocks, on the arm.’ (Nurse educator)

‘To give an immunisation.’

‘If a patient becomes aggressive you must be able to handle it.’

‘You (NQRN) are going to give injections, so that is basic things that you must know and be able to do.’ (Student)

Delivering a baby

Administering of medication

Bed-wash of a patient

‘Specialized knowledge also of delivering babies.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Medication administration skills.’

‘How to bed-wash a patient.’

‘Experience to know how to deliver a baby.’ (Student)

Monitoring vital signs

Antenatal care

‘How to do blood pressure’ (Nurse educator)

‘Or antenatal care actually.’

‘How to monitor the vital signs.’ (Student)

Blood drawing

Glucose testing

‘Putting drips and draw bloods’ (Nurse educator)

‘How to bath a patient, test glucose.’

‘Draw blood, know how to do it.’ (Student)

Patient observation

‘They should be able to observe. If you

see something on a patient then you should be able to do something with that.’

Personal skills

Independence

Creative thinking

Flexibility

‘Do everything on their own.’ (Nurse educator)

‘I would say ability to think out of the box.’

‘Must be flexible as well.’

‘Be able to work independently.’ (Student)

Adaptability

Emotional stability

Diligent

‘They need to adapt to their circumstances.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Need to have emotional stability herself in order to be able to go on.’

‘Don’t do anything half measure – do the procedures properly and don’t be lazy.’

‘You must be adaptable.’ (Student)

Patience

Coping

Resilient

‘Patience I think. Patience.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Be psychologically prepared.’

‘Must try to keep their head above water and they would not be able to go sit.’

‘When it comes to patients we should try to have more patience.’ (Student)

Assertive

Integrity

‘Assertiveness and certain stubbornness in sticking to do what is right.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Be responsible and trustworthy so even if no one is there to see what you do.’

‘Be more assertive.’ (Student)

Responsible and trustworthy

Confidence

‘Really to be responsible and trustworthy so even if no one is there to see what you do.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Have the attitude of I can do this, I am able, I have all the competency.’

‘Only thing that we have to understand to know more is that is to be responsible.’ (Student)

Courageous

Endurance

Courageous enough, you know, if he can carry out quality nursing care.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Show that courage.’ (Student)

‘They must have endurance because it’s not easy where they go.’

Problem-solving

Determination

‘Problem solving skills, it’s very much important.’ (Nurse educator)

‘They also need determination.’

Values

‘Your problem solving abilities would follow logically.’ (Student)

‘They must have values.’

Ability to prioritise

‘The skill to prioritise.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Be able to prioritise and to say this is what must be done now, the next task is this one.’ (Student)

Critical analytical thinking

‘They need that critical analytical way of thinking.’ (Nurse educator)

‘It must be a critical thinker.’ (Student)

Decision-making

‘The skill to make decision, decision-making skills.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Independent in terms of making decisions.’(Student)

Crisis management

‘They have to have effective crises management.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Handle an emergency situation.’ (Student)

Innovative thinking

‘So they would learn to think in innovative ways to do something.’ (Nurse educator)

‘You must think on your feet.’ (Student)

Improvise

‘They must really think and what they can do if there are no resources.’ (Nurse educator

‘If we are learning a particular skill, they will tell us okay but you can use this or that as an alternative.’ (Student)

Similarthemes between nurse educators and final-year nursing students

Uniquethemes of nurse educators

Uniquethemes of final-year nursing students

Positive

Compassionate

Non-judgemental

‘You should have a positive attitude with the patient.’ (Nurse educator)

‘She needs as well to have compassion.’

‘Like a teenage girl who needs to go for family planning.’

‘You have to have a positive attitude if you are going to work.’ (Student)

Caring

Passion

‘If you want to be a nurse, you must have a caring attitude.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Be passionate about what you are doing.’

‘You want to help patient to get well and you want to show love to patients.’ (Student)

Humble

Approachable

‘To place their own needs aside so that the patient always comes first.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Approachability, welcoming and that reassurance and all those.’

‘You are never too good to do things like bed wash or changes bed pans or a patient’s diaper.’ (Student)

Friendly

Sensitive

‘Friendliness knowing that the patient comes first.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Need to be sensitive.’

‘Friendly towards the patient, the personnel.’ (Student)

Empathetic

Helpful

‘The nurse should show empathy, understanding of the patients stories.’ (Nurse educator)

Think of how best can I help this patient.’

‘The nurse should show empathy, understanding of the patients.’ (Student)

Life-long learning

‘You must really be open to learn don’t think I know everything because I am qualified, and realize that you will be a life-long learner.’ (Nurse educator)

‘You would have to learn from the other nurses.’ (Student)

Going the extra mile

‘And also you must go an extra mile.’ (Nurse educator)

‘Nursing is about giving but you get very little back.’ (Student)