The purpose of this study was to evaluate the course for the Diploma in Nursing Administration (DNA) in Zimbabwe with a view to identifying strengths and weaknesses in the course and making necessary changes. The study sought to determine the adequacy of resources such as course facilitators, teaching aids and reference materials. Stufflebeam's Evaluation Model was the evaluation design used for the study.
Questionnaires were sent to 228 nurses who completed the DNA course between 1978 and 1997 and were practising in Zimbabwe. One hundred and sixty-five nurses responded giving a response rate of 74%. All six nurse tutors and all sixteen guest lecturers involved in teaching the DNA course were interviewed. A total of 34 matrons who supervised nurses who completed the DNA course were interviewed from hospitals throughout Zimbabwe. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data.
Components indicated as relevant for inclusion in the DNA course content were management of health finances, labour relations, health sector reforms such as decentralisation, patient/client rights, health care personnel rights and computer literacy. Topics such as human growth and development of children under five years, basic principles of good nutrition, nutritional disorders, family planning and infectious diseases were indicated as irrelevant.
The nurse tutors and the majority of the matrons were satisfied by the general performance of nurses who completed the DNA course. However, there were no aspects in nursing management where all the respondents who completed the course indicated that they were sufficiently prepared. Aspects such as unit budgetary control measures in hospitals need especially to be emphasised when teaching the students.
Respondents who completed the course indicated that the content in the DNA course was too much and suggested lengthening the training period to fifteen months. There is a need to develop a teaching guide for the DNA course. Resources required in the DNA course include a purpose-built school, at least six permanent nurse tutors, current textbooks and journals, a vehicle, computers, fax facility and E-mail to improve communications in the school.
