Assessing Barriers to Implementation of Nursing Process among Nurses Working at a Tertiary Hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Nursing process (NP) is a global concept, which forms the foundation of nursing as a profession, it is a scientific method for delivering holistic and quality nursing care and its effective implementation is critical for improved quality of nursing care. However, its implementation in most hospitals especially in low and middle-income countries reportedly remains a challenge despite efforts being made. Objective: To assess barriers to implementation of nursing process among nurses. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out where 134 nurses were recruited in the study. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires. Results: One-third (33.1%) of nurses reported that they were actively implementing the nursing process but only 8.2 %( n=11) nurses correctly listed all the steps of the nursing process. Nursing process implementation was significantly associated with nurse’s demographics (age p <0.001, experience p = 0.001), training (p = 0.013), institutional factors (p = 0.048). Social (p>0.05) and cultural (p = 0.993) factors were not significantly associated with nursing process implementation. Conclusion: The Nursing Process implementation among nurses is significantly influenced by their demographic characteristics which include age and experience, training on nursing process and institutional factor like availability of relevant resources for NP implementation.