Study on the Role of Nurse Administrator in Healthcare Services and Built Environment in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

The Role of the Nurse Administrator in Healthcare Services and Healthcare Built Environment in Southern Nigeria was a capstone project. The topic was coined from – Public Health Nursing Management, Research and Nursing Research, and Administration and Management in Nursing. As part of its corporate social responsibility, a federal government organization built a health facility to promote maternal and child health for its host community in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. Before the opening ceremony in 2018, the Obstetrician engaged, was to confirm its architectural design. He was, however, accompanied by a nurse. The construction team omitted the first stage labour room, sluice room, treatment room, examination room, nurses’ station, and toilet. This spurred this project title. The study aimed to determine the role of the nurse administrator in healthcare services and built environment in Southern Nigeria; to create awareness of this role among nurses as frontline; and to influence the decision in evidence base healthcare built environment. This will improve the safety of patients and healthcare providers, clinical outcome for patients and job satisfaction of nursing staff. The study was descriptive and observational. It was conducted with self- structured questions through, telephone interview method for a cross- section of nurses in the clinical, educational and administrative areas in three states of Southern Nigeria. Total respondents were thirty five (35). Nurses 30 (85.7%) – (28 (93%) females and, 2 (6.7%) males), Medical doctors 3 (8.6%), Civil Engineer 1 (2.9%) and, Architect 1(2.9%) all males. Data collated for healthcare built environment features, revealed that 46.4% do not have specific built nurses’ toilet, 39.2% were without cloak room, 21.4% shared toilet with patients, and 28.6% were without nurses’ station. Only 10.7% were comfortable with the purpose built healthcare environment and, stated how it had affected them positively. For Nurse Administrators’ role, 7.1% represented the nurses and attended meetings, 10.7%   were involved in decision making, 3.6% contributed in healthcare built environment design and 6.7% of the nurses influenced built environment planning design. The concept of healthcare built environment had been underrated which was responsible for deplorable design of most healthcare facilities. The research also showed a strong link between the design of healthcare settings and outcomes experienced by patients, staff, and families. Hence, the need to create awareness and, include nurse administrators and clinical nurses as frontlines to ensure their voices are heard in, influencing decision among other professionals in creating innovative design in healthcare built environment. This will enhance workflow processes, work environment outcome, patient and provider safety and outcome.