Nursing Supervisors Perception on quality of Nursing Care in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The problem of clarifying the nature of the core elements of the nursing profession and the limits of its scope of practice are found in many countries. Additional problem in Ethiopia which should be taken into consideration and thoroughly examined by policy-makers and nurses are the existing imbalances between the numbers, types, functions, istributions, and quality of nursing personnel, on the one hand, and on the other, the country's need for their services and ability to employ, support and maintain them. Guided by this perspective, the purpose of this study were to assess (a) any nursing imbalance and shortage and (b) the quality of nursing education and nursing care in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional approach was utilized. Health department supervisor nurse (or the equivalent) respondents (n= 70) were recruited from the 11 regional and 59 zonal and 7 special woredas'. Participants completed the Nursing Personnel Resources Survey Questionnaire (NPRSQ). The NPRSQ is a self-administered 51-items instrument for measuring the distribution of nursing personnel; the quality of nursing schools and the relevance of nursing education; the quality of nursing care (relative to a perceived standard); and the status and image of nursing in the country. Results: The most important findings shows a three dimensional nursing workforce imbalances: the numerical dimension involves under-supply compared to country needs and resources; the qualitative dimension represents a mismatch between educational preparation and requirements in the workplace; and the distributional dimension focuses on urban areas and hospitals compared to rural areas and community health care settings. Conclusion: This study does not try to address all the issues related to nursing personnel imbalance. However, regardless of the nature of the nursing situations, this study does show that nursing shortage is associated with quality of care, and quality of care with quality of education. The solution lies in a broad, country-based approach that addresses infrastructure, education, and human resources management. as an interrelated and complex aspects of human resources policy and planning.

Ethiop J Health Sci Vol. 11, No. 2 July 2001