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.
