title: Evaluation of the utilization of post-basic nursing graduates of the University of Zululand by their supervisors in the health services and educational institutions in Kwazulu-Natal.
abstract: This article aims at evaluating the utilization of post-basic nursing graduates of the University of Zululand Nursing Science Department by their supervisors. An explanatory descriptive survey was conducted in the hospitals, clinics, nursing colleges, nursing schools and the University of Zululand where nursing graduates worked. Two sets of interview schedules were designed, one for nursing graduates and one for their supervisors. These interview schedules consisted of open and closed-ended questions. The total number of graduates was 75 and 29 supervisors. The respondents were purposely and conveniently selected according to their availability in each health and nursing education institution. The study revealed that post-basic nursing graduates of the University of Zululand were not always properly utilized by their supervisors in the institutions because they were sometimes not utilized according to their qualifications, interest and preferences. Based on the findings of the research it was recommended that the actual utilization of post-basic nursing graduates is monitored in order to improve their productivity and competences. It was further recommended that the University of Zululand prepare more graduates at post-graduate levels for utilization in leadership positions especially those at honours, masters and doctoral levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Zululand, Isipingo.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Kubheka
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Nzimande
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D010560:Personnel Selection; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires