Institutional factors influencing supportive supervision practice among frontline nurse managers at Thika level 5 Hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Supportive supervision (SS) in Ward/section by Frontline Nurse Managers is the process that aims at improving staff performance.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the factors influencing the SS practice among Frontline Nurse Managers at Thika Level 5 Hospital in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Design and setting: The study applied mixed methods: phenomenological and quantitative research designs. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25.0. Report was presented using frequency distribution tables and pie charts. Qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo version 12 then presented in themes. Authority to collect data was granted by, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Research and Ethics Committee and National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI). Approval to collect data was granted by TL5H.

Participants: Census sampling was used on Frontline Nurse Managers and their deputies. The study picked 20 participants by purposive method and conducted two Focus Group Discussions. Key Informants were picked from the office of the hospital Nursing Services Manager.

Results: Most of the respondents said that the hospital did not provide SS schedule and tools (n=36, 92.3%) and (n=37, 94.9%) respectively. Focused Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews reported that the hospital had not offered training on SS to Frontline Nurse Managers and that the hospital had staff shortages.

Conclusion: The study concluded that Thika Level 5 Hospital had not adequately equipped Frontline Nurse Managers for SS function since, it had no: SS system policy, SS tools, and had inadequate nursing staff. Frontline Nurse Managers had no training on SS.