The competence of registered nurses in managing emergencies at a teaching hospital in Zambia
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Date
2002
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Abstract
A literature review was conducted to identify what emergencies are, as well as competencies that are expected of attending nurses if life is to be saved. Different definitions or concepts of emergencies were analysed. The underlying factor is that "an emergency is any condition requiring medical attention". Thus emergencies call for care aimed at stabilizing, prevention of complications, and early recovery
The professional nurses' competence is mainly the performance of skills and techniques that also requires integration of knowledge, skills, judgement and an array of characteristics that contribute to safe and ethical practice
Since the study was looking at 'job specific' competencies, the focus was on resuscitation skills expected of nurses, namely a primary and secondary survey. The nurses are also expected to participate in the triage of patients being seen in the emergency department
The conceptual framework used was competence-based assessment that involved the observation and measurement of skills, for which the professional nurse was accountable
The research methodology covered the research design and a quantitative descriptive approach was applied in the study. The target population was registered nurses practising in the casualty department. Data was collected by means of a checklist. Raw data was analysed and presented as descriptive statistics of frequency distributions and cross tabulations. Correlations were also utilized where possible
The study sought to determine the competence of registered nurses in managing emergencies at a teaching hospital's Accident and Emergency unit. The competence of nurses has been unsatisfactory according to the grading of scores
Description
Theses submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
master in nursing science
Keywords
Nursing, Medical care, Training of health workers