Child health nurses in Solomon Islands, piloting the 'Bachelor of nursing: Child health'.

AIM

In 2016, the Solomon Islands National University developed and implemented the country's first nursing specialisation in child health, the Bachelor of Nursing: Child Health. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of the first cohort of students (n = 14) during this course in order to evaluate the programme.

BACKGROUND

The Bachelor of Nursing: Child Health was implemented in 2016 to develop nurses' knowledge and skills in child health and improve child health outcomes and so on.

DESIGN

The qualitative evaluation study used an exploratory, descriptive design.

METHODS

The 14 nurses who constituted the first cohort of students were selected as study participants. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted between August and December 2018. Thematic analysis was undertaken following the Braun and Clarke six-phase process to generate themes and sub-themes from the data. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist guided the reporting of the study.

RESULTS

Interviews revealed important feedback about the course, including areas to strengthen and avenues to improve it in the future. Four themes emerged: learning during the Bachelor of Nursing: Child Health, support during the course, challenges experienced during the course and suggested course improvements in the future. The study found that theoretical sessions combined with practical and interactive activities were most effective in learning both theoretical concepts and their related clinical applications and skills. Although support was generally available during the course, participants emphasised their responsibility to take the lead in their learning and seek support when required. The lack of mentoring combined with logistical difficulties were perceived as barriers to learning. Participant recommendations support further development of the child health nursing specialisation, with specific strengthening in areas such as teaching and mentoring, logistics, course curriculum and human and material resources.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Given the potential benefits of increasing nurses' knowledge and skills in child health and paediatric care on reducing neonatal and child mortality and morbidity, ongoing support for the implementation of this course in Solomon Islands and more broadly across the Pacific region is recommended. The provision of such support is a local, regional and a global responsibility. Indeed, Sustainable Development Goal 3c calls for a substantial increase in health financing and in the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in low- and middle-income countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the evaluation demonstrate the positive aspects of the course in relation to content and curriculum delivery strategies as well as identifying areas where further refinement and strengthening is required.