Differences and similarities of motivating and demotivating factors of emergency nursing care in rural and urban emergency units – A study of selected rural and urban emergency units in the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore differences and similarities of motivating and demotivating factors of emergency nursing care in selected rural and urban emergency units in the Volta Region of Ghana. Materials and methodsThis study was conducted at selected rural and urban emergency units in the Volta Region of Ghana. The study utilised qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting emergency units and nurses. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of 30 nurses. Data saturation was determined after interviewing 30 participants. Data analysis was done through qualitative content analysis. ResultsTwenty-six (26) out of a total of thirty (30) participants were between the ages of twenty-five (25) and twenty-nine (29). Nurses working in the emergency units studied general nursing at the Nurses Training Colleges (NTCs). None of the respondents studied emergency nursing as a degree programme. Twenty four (24) out of thirty (30) participants had worked for about two years in emergency units. Four thematic categories that represented differences and similarities of motivating and demotivating factors for nurses in rural and urban emergency units were extracted from data. The thematic categories are: a) Support from hospital management for provision of material resources; b) Task shifting to nurses; c) Stimulant for learning; d) Interpersonal relations. DiscussionsEvidence available in this study suggests that there are differences as well as similarities of motivating and demotivating factors within emergency units of rural and urban settings in the Volta Region of Ghana. Differences in resource allocation and task shifting was identified. Stimulating environments of emergency unit for learning and excellent interpersonal relations were found to be common motivations for both rural and urban emergency unit nurses.