Implementation of Nursing Process among Nurses Working In In-Patients Wards in Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

BACKGROUND The nursing process has been described as a theory of how nurses organize the care of individuals, families and communities and implement this using a nursing care plan (NCP). The extent of implementation of the nursing process in the clinical setting has not been extensively studied nor documented in many countries in Africa, Kenya included. This study therefore sought to determine knowledge, attitude and factors hindering implementation of nursing process in Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive cross sectional study design was carried out in Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital. Simple random sampling was used to select 148 nurses working in the in- patients wards in the hospital. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive data was analyzed presented in charts, graphs and tables. RESULTS More than half (86, 58%) were diploma holders and (95, 62.7%) had worked for >10yrs at the hospital. Half (74, 50%) were able to list the components of NCP. Even though (42, 25.4%) said that they knew how to evaluate patient care using a NCP, only (7, 4.9 %) were able to come up with assessment data. Fifty four (33.8%) agreed that NCP should be used as an evidence of implementation of the nursing process. Only (12, 8%) used the NCP to manage patient care in the ward. 132 (89%) opined that in-service training on use of NCP was beneficial to implementation of the nursing process. However, majority (111, 74.9%) said this training was not being offered at the facility. Most (73, 47.2%) had learnt on nursing process last in college. CONCLUSION The nursing process is not well implemented at the in-patient wards of Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital. Lack of continuous in-service training on nursing process and use of NCP can be attributed to this. The study recommends in-service training on use of NCP by the nurse manager through continuous progress department.