Perceptions of nursing students at a university in the Western Cape regarding clinical supervision on the Essential Drug List as a medication protocol

Abstract

Clinical experiences have always been an integral part of nursing education, and the value thereof to the nursing students is widely demonstrated in research. The purpose of clinical supervision is bridging the gap between theory and practice and ensuring that nursing students are prepared to be competent in their professional duties upon completion of their studies. However, clinical supervision focuses mainly on clinical skills and seems to neglect policies and protocols that govern care delivery, often impacting negatively on the expected quality of service. This problem is more so prominent in policies and protocols pertaining to medication. The Essential Drug List (EDL), which is a useful tool in the South African public health facilities, is one such protocol. Supervision on Essential Drug List as a medication protocol seems to be non-existent in the nursing field despite the expectations that nursing students should be able to implement its contents upon completing their studies. The nursing students' views regarding supervision in this regard are often not sourced despite their importance as stakeholders. However, if positive changes that will serve as a solution to the current problem are to be achieved, the students need to be heard. The study aimed to explore the perceptions of nursing students at a university in the Western Cape regarding clinical supervision on EDL medication protocol.