Page 24 - Windhoek Graduation (20 May)(SESSION 2)(PhDs, Masters)

Executive Dean: Prof Judith Hall
Faculty of Health Sciences & Veterinary Medicine
SCHOOL OF NURSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Associate Dean: Prof Louise Pretorius

DOCTORATE OF NURSING SCIENCE

CANDIDATE: EMVULA Olivia

CURRICULUM VITAE

Olivia Emvula was born in the Ohangwena region. She matriculated with
an Exemption from Rehoboth High School. Her qualifications include: A
Comprehensive Diploma in Nursing Science from the University of Namibia;
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion, Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment &
Pharmacotherapy; Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Education from Stellenbosch University, and Masters of
Nursing Science from the University of Namibia.

Her professional career includes working as a Registered nurse at Lüderitz and Katutura State Hospitals at the
Ministry of Health and Social Services, Phlebotomist at the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia, Programme
Coordinator at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Namibia); Registered nurse at the University
of Namibia PHC Clinic, Lecturer at the International University of Management (IUM), Lecturer at the University
of Namibia School of Nursing. Her research focuses on nursing education, as well as clinical nursing practice.

CANDIDATE’S DISSERTATION

A TRANSITION SUPPORT PROGRAMME TO FACILITATE THE COMPETENCIES OF NEWLY QUALIFIED REGISTERED NURSES
AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN NAMIBIA

The doctoral study was undertaken and completed under the supervision of Prof. Louise Pretorius of the University
of Namibia as Main-Supervisor and Prof. Louis Small as Co-Supervisor.

It is a global concern that after completing training, newly qualified registered nurses do not have the experience
they are supposed to have as registered nurses, yet are expected to cope within very challenging situations,
where they are required to fulfil clinical roles expected of experienced nurses. They also often face challenges
in effectively applying knowledge, skills and judgement in their daily practice as registered nurses and often lack
competencies to efficiently execute their professional roles and responsibilities.
The researcher, as a nurse educator, heeded the call by MoHSS to assist in addressing quality nursing care in the
country. Following this call, the researcher was motivated to explore how newly qualified registered nurses cope
with the expectation of quality health care by focusing on the assessment of their competencies when they get
employed. The candidate developed a transition support programme to facilitate newly qualified registered nurses
competencies. The overall aim of the transition support programme is to provide a safe and positive environment
that assists newly qualified registered nurses to develop skills and build confidence in their professional roles.
Consequently, the programme focuses on providing public hospitals in Namibia with a structured standardised
framework to support transition into practice and, by so doing, promote quality nursing care and public safety.

The study adopted a quantitative approach with descriptive, analytic survey design. Data on the ethical, legal and
professional competencies of newly qualified registered nurses were collected by means of questionnaires. Data
were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 24. The study findings revealed
that the newly qualified registered nurses were not completely competent in the clinical, professional, legal and
ethical domain, but rather possess basic competencies. The study presents a number of recommendations to the
Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), education institutions, and suggestions for further research were
made based on the study findings.

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