TNAI JOURNAL

Introduction

According to Prof Seethalakshmi, Principal, College of Nursing, Coimbatore nursing education should be made effective and efficient because there is inadequate integration of nursing education and practice. This key note address gave a thought to explore the views of nursing personnel regarding current GNM education programme.

It was also felt that there is poor acceptance of the changes by the students. Also, very often, comparisons are made between the old and the new curriculum of the GNM students. Various responses were given by clinical nurses regarding time spent on theory versus practice.

There are many obstacles in theoretical nursing and practices because what we learn actually in theory, cannot be practiced in clinical area.

The facts mentioned above made investigator to explore the above aspects.

Statement of Problem
The aim of the study was to find out the views of nursing staff and students of LTMG Hospital on whether the knowledge base and skills provided in revised GNM Programme makes student competent to meet the present needs of the society.

Objectives
The objectives of the study were to : (a) find out the awareness of nursing staff about cur-

riculum changes, (b) find out the views of nursing staff about the curriculum in the past, (c) find out their views on the gaps between knowledge & practices among student nurses, (d) explore the contributory factors in creating the gaps between the theory & practice, and (e) evaluate the present curriculum this study may help to modify the present syllabus.

Review of Literature
According to Polit Hungler (1978), review of literature is important to gain a better understanding and the insight necessary to develop a broad conceptual frame work in which the problem can be examined.

A High Power Committee was appointed by the Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in July 1987 to review the role, functions, status, preparation of the Nursing personnel, Nursing services and other issues related to the development of profession and to make suitable recommendations to the Government. Many other studies have also been done to find out the barriers between nursing practice and education.

Study Assumptions

There are differences in outcome of old syllabus as against new syllabus in terms of quality care.

There is gap between what is learnt in the classroom

& the actual practices.

Theory input is more than the practice in new syllabus.

Setting of the study: Various departments, wards & classrooms of LTMG Hospital.

Population : Sister-in-charges, senior and junior staff nurses and student nurses.

Sample & Sampling Technique:Convenient sampling was used which contains the use of the most readily available respondents. Sample size was 50.

Technique & Tools

Interview : Interview as a research technique involves the collection of data through verbal interaction with individuals. The interview of an oral type of questionnaire was given to the respondents.

Validity:This was done by experts in the field of nursing. Thus the validity of the tool was assured.

Reliability : The reliability was achieved by pilot study.

Pilot Study : Was carried out the study with the sample size of 10.

Data Collection: The tool used for data collection consisted of semi-structured interview schedule to record the responses regarding gaps between.

theoretical education and practices.

Data Analysis
The demographic data was analysed by using frequency and percentage and presented in Table 1.

Conclusion
Almost all the students perceived that theory is given more importance and students are not able to apply theoretical knowledge base in day-to-day practice. They are overburdened with the clinical work and also they are not getting co-operation from staffs to carry out ideal practical work. Further, the sister incharges have not accepted

the present syllabus. They also feel that that student’s theory hours are more than the clinical hours.

Implications

The study findings have implications on nursing education, nursing service and nursing research.

1. Nursing Education: The result of this study can be used in carrying out evaluative study about effects of new syllabus .
2. Nursing Service: The results of the study can be eye opener for the nursing administrators to provide student status.
3. Nursing Research: Since

nursing studies in this area are fewer, this study can be used as base for further research studies.

Suggestions for Improvement

Each aspect (theory & practical) could have been studied in depth with greater precision.

Interaction could have been increased at least two or three times per sample to obtain more realistic data.

In clinical area, qualified staff should be appointed, and ongoing in-service education should be planned.

Nurse pupils should not be overburdened with routine duties of hospital, more attention should be given to training & practical experience.

SNo	Description	Yes/No	Freq.	%age
1	Nsg education is advanced or not ?	Yes No	50 0	100%
2	Awareness about changes in previous syllabus and present syllabus (theoretical knowledge is advanced)	Yes No	48 2	96% 2%
3	Co-operation from nursing staff	Yes No	25 25	50% 50%
4	Difference between demo practice and actual practice in ward (due to heavy workload)	Yes No	50 0	100%
5	Getting all practical experiences in your institute	Yes No	50 0	100%
6	Physical and mental Exertion (not getting student dignity or status)	Yes No	50 0	100%
7	Facilities available for practical experiences but do not get sufficient time for ideal practices	Yes No	48 2	96% 4%
8	Students are not satisfied with their duty pattern	Yes No	50 0	100%
9	Whether you get student status	Yes No	50 0	100%

References
1 Agarwal JC, et al (1966). Educational Research, Arya Book Depot, New Delhi
2 Sahni, Dr Ashok (2001). Clinical Updates & Management of Nursing Services
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4 Kaul L (1985). Methodology of educational research, 1st edn, New Delhi, Vikas Publishing Ltd, 394.
5 Polit O, Hungler B (2006). Nursing Research Principles & Methods, Philadelphia YB Lippincott Co, 454
6 Ranade NB (1991). The twentieth century English - Marath
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8 Henery E Garret. RS Wood Werth, Statistics in Psychology and Education, Vakils Feter and Simons Ltd. pp 390, 461
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