Application of Nursing Process and its Influence on the quality of Nursing Care in Wa Regional Hospital

Abstract

Although nursing education has evolved over the years to better prepare nurses for quality nursing care, the standards of nursing care is still dwindling in Ghana. Studies have shown that improving the quality of nursing care will require the application of the nursing process in patient care. The Nursing Process is a systematic scientific approach to direct nurses in caring for patients effectively. This study sought to explore the application of the nursing process and the quality of care that patients receive at the Wa Regional Hospital. The research approach was a qualitative ethnographic study that employed the ethnonursing method to describe the aspect of nursing culture involving patient care. The study population was made up of registered nurses in Wa Municipality. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify thirteen (13) key informants who were interviewed; twelve (12) participants were also purposively sampled to participate in a focus group interview. Records were reviewed to gather data that was analyzed as outline in the ethnonursing approach of data analysis. The research findings indicated that the registered general nurses had very good theoretical understanding of the nursing process. However, nursing process was not being implemented at the hospital. The main reasons why nursing process was not implemented in the hospital included: Work pressure on nurse, inadequate Staff (RGNs) in the ward, lack of logistics and consumables. The nurses recommended training workshops, employing more RGN and supply of consumables to promote implementation of the nursing process.