# Strategy actions to include students in a private hospital’s nursing teams: A qualitative study

## TL;DR

This study explores strategies to better integrate student nurses into nursing teams in a private South African hospital to improve retention and team cohesion.

## Contribution

The study introduces validated strategic actions for including student nurses in nursing teams through a three-phase qualitative approach.

## Key findings

- Five strategic actions were identified: fair treatment, aligned work allocation, active participation, respect, and acknowledgment.
- Nineteen strategic statements were validated to underpin these actions through e-Delphi technique.
- Unit managers are crucial in fostering inclusivity, which impacts student nurse retention and team cohesion.

## Abstract

Student nurse education focusses on preparing competent professionals integral to nursing teams.

To develop strategic actions to include student nurses within the nursing team.

A private healthcare group in South Africa.

A qualitative approach in three phases was used. Thirty purposively sampled participants recorded reflective journals in phase one. Tesch’s eight steps were utilised for analysis. Phase two involved non-probability volunteer sampling of 11 participants for the nominal group technique analysis. In phase three, total population sampling recruited nine panellists for an e-Delphi technique that provided data that were open coded.

Phase one identified themes, including perceptions of responsibilities, support needs, recognition, conflict and communication issues. Phase two revealed five strategic actions: fair treatment, aligned work allocation, active participation, respect and acknowledgement of contributions. Phase three validated 19 strategic statements underpinning the strategic actions.

Unit managers play a key role in fostering inclusivity, impacting student nurse retention.

Enhancing team cohesion can improve workplace wellness and patient outcomes while aiding in retention and recruitment efforts.