AN EVALUATION OF THE PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY OF DIPLOMATES FROM A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING PROGRAM

The aim of this South African study was to obtain a measurement of the problem-solving ability of diplomates from a basic nursing programme with this skill included in its programme objectives. The problem-solv ing skills of diplomates from this programme were compared with those of First years to determine if there is an improvement in the problem- solving skills, A comparison was also made with a different basic prog rammes not claiming to teach problem-solving. The research design sele cted for this study was the ex post facto design. Data were collected using the Triple jump Method which is an interview technique. The find ings suggested that the level of the problem-solving skills of the com prehensive nursing programme diplomate is not satisfactory, There was, however, some improvement in the problem-solving ability from the fir st to the fourth year, The level of performance of the fourth years wa s slightly higher than that of the third years of the three-year nursi ng programme, who were used as the control group, Recommendations on s election teaching and evaluation of students, as well as further resea rch, were made.