The views of undergraduate nursing students on caring for patients with HIV/AIDS

A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with the purpose of exploring and describing the views of undergraduate nursing students on caring for HIV/AIDS patients. The study population consisted of BCur III nursing students studying at the Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa). Participants were purposively selected. Focus group interviews were used as a data collection instrument. Guided by a group moderator and responding to a central research question, participants shared their views about caring for HIV/AIDS patients. Tesch's qualitative method of data analysis, as described by Cresswell (1994:155), was used to analyse the data. Caring for HIV/AIDS patients evoked emotions such as fear, anger and frustration among undergraduate nursing students. Students expressed needs such as the acquisition of knowledge and a reduction in the stigmatisation of patients with HIV/ AIDS, while the data analysis revealed demands such as more intensive clinical accompaniment by lecturers and antiretroviral therapy delivery by government. Suggested solutions included student participation in HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and the upholding of patients' rights. Curriculum innovation was recommended to improve students' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and to ensure the provision of quality care for these patients.