Abstract:
Although all nurses learned how to use nursing process in their practice, the extent to which how they use in regular practice was varied. One hospital identified the utilization of nursing process as an indicator of quality of care. From hospital audit on the use of nursing process, it was evident that unit performance was varied. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe professional nurses' experiences of utilizing nursing process in this selected hospital. Participants were 15 professional nurses working at 10 in-patient units ranked highest and lowest on the use of nursing process in 5 practice areas. Data were collected through an indepth interview, non-participatory observation and documentary review. Content analysis, was used to develop coding categories. Then, the meanings of the categories were described.The findings show that, nursing process is significant for the patients and the nurses. Through nursing process, the patients received comprehensive and continuity nursing care. Nursing process also provided a clear sequence and direction for the nurses. Then, the meanings of the categories were described.The findings show that, nursing process is significant for the patients and the nurses. Through nursing process, the patients received comprehensive and continuity nursing care. Nursing process also provided a clear sequence and direction for the nurses. The particpants saw nursing process as a tool for their practice.The participants utilized all five steps of nursing process : assessment at admission and during hospitalization, nursing diagnosis, planning through a nursing pre+conference, implementation of the plan, and evaluation. Documentation of all steps was usually performed instantly, except in an emergency situation where documentation was performed after the activity was completed. Barriers to the use nursing process in cluded 1) Management : inadequate and inappropriate staffing high workload, improper assignment and supervisory system 2) Nursing personnel : lack of knowledge and skill of assessment and diagnosis, negative attitudes towards the use of nursing process, and less experience 3X Resources : inadequate textbook and documents related to nursing process, and 4) Unhealthy work environment.Factors promoting the use of nursing process were : 1X Administrative system : setting policy and committee related to the use of nursing process, adequate staffing, changing assignment and supervisory system, simplifying documentation 2) Nursing personnel : developing knowledge, skills and attitudes towards the use of nursing process, and 3X Resources: providing textbooks and documents related to nursing process.