Factors Affecting the Implementation of Nursing Care Plans in Patient Care

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Nursing Care Plan (NCP) is used in practice as a systematic and scientific problem-solving method to determining the care needs of individuals. There is lack of research on factors affecting regarding utilization of nursing care plan in patient care. Objective: The objective of this study were to evaluate the implementation of the nursing process and to determine the factors that may influence the implementation of the nursing process. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a private hospital during February to June, 2023. The study protocol was reviewed and approved. Permission from institutional heads was sought. Informed consent was obtained before data collection. Simple random sampling method was employed. The data were collected with structured questionnaires whose responses were rated on Likert scale. Data were coded and analyzed using SPSS v25.0. Result: A total 108 nurses participated in the study. Study findings revealed 89% of the nurses were female nurses and 82% possessed diploma in nursing. The knowledge 50.5%, confidence 50.9% and willingness 54.2%, were at borderline good level. Whereas, assessment and diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and nurses’ views about nursing care planning implementation were at < 50% as poor. There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and implementation R-Value 0.312 and confidence and evaluation R-Value 0.246. Barrier to implement nursing process included uncooperative patients, lack of awareness about nursing process, lack of preparedness, low satisfaction level, lack of in-service training, lack of time, and high patient flow. Conclusion: Study’s findings revealed knowledge, confidence and willingness of the nurses determine the use of nursing process in their nursing practice.