Abstract
M.Cur. (Professional Nursing)
The selection of student nurses is a major factor determining the standard of nursing
education, of the nursing profession and the quality of health care provided to the
community in which the nurse serves. Student nurses gain entry into the nursing profession through a selection system. These systems vary from country to country and even among universities and nursing colleges within the country. According to available research literature the most common criteria identified involve biographical, psychological and academic variables which most universities and nursing college utilise to select students. A survey was undertaken to identify these variables and subsequently criteria were drafted for the selection of students at a college in the Transvaal. From this survey certain biographical variables were identified that could not be utilised as selection criteria, since it could be seen as being biased and constituting a violation of the rights of the individual. The psychological variables identified could also not be utilised as this aspect was beyond the scope of this study. The only usable discriminant was the academic variable where certain subjects and grades were highlighted in selecting students. The Swedish rating scale was used to draft a formula as follows:
• A candidate has to possess a matriculation/standard ten certificate with six subjects;
• A mark is allocated to each subject and symbol;
• These marks are added together.
Extra weighting of the same mark would be added to the subject discriminants, namely
English higher grade; Biology higher grade; Mathematics standard and higher grades;
Physical Science standard and higher grades. These marks would be added together and a candidate would be selected if he/she had a mark of 35 or above.