Caring behaviors of novice nurses: Basis for a supplemental in service-program Decosto, Michelle N. 6

Thesis (M.A) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 2011;A thesis presented to the Graduate School of Health and Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing 56

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ABSTRACT: The present study looked into the caring behaviors of novice nurses in a selected private and government hospital as rated by self, patients and head nurses, which was used as basis for a supplemental service oriented program. Specifically, it aimed to answer the following sub-problems: (1) What is the profile of novice nurses in terms of type of institution and area of assignment?, (2) To what extent do novice nurses manifest caring behaviors as perceived by themselves, patients and head nurses along competence, commitment, compassion, confidence and conscience?, (3) How do the perception of patients, novice nurses and head nurses differ in terms of the manifested caring behaviors?, (4) How do novice nurses differ in their caring behaviors when grouped according to profile variables? And (5) What supplemental caring program can be proposed based from the findings of the study? sampling technique, target respondents were obtained who are primarily novice nurses or those with zero (0) month to one and a half-year length of service. The study was conducted in a selected government and private hospital. A pre-tested and validated survey was employed to explore on the variables being studied. Descriptive statistics such as means and frequency and percentage was utilized including inferential statistics such as analysis of variance and t test. General findings are as follows: On the respondents profile in terms of institution and area of assignment, there were fifty percent of the respondents are employed in a private hospital and government respectively which are assigned in the medical, surgical unit, obstetric unit and pediatric unit. Various dimensions of caring behaviors of novice nurses as perceived by self, patients and head nurses. Self-evaluation (x=4.23) and patients evaluation (x=4.45) rated novice nurses competence to be on a very high extent, however head nurses perceive it only to be manifested to a moderate extent (x=3.40). As for the other dimensions, the three groups of respondents rated the novice nurse to be exhibited to a high extent although some variations were also noted. In this view, it can be notice that it is apparent that evaluations may differ, which is highly dependent upon where the evaluator is coming from. Based on the foregoing findings, statistical evidence supports that there is a significant difference in the self, head nurses and patients evaluation of novice nurses caring behaviors in terms of competence, compassion and confidence. There is no significant difference in the self, head nurses and patients evaluation of novice nurses caring behaviors in terms of commitment and conscience. There is no significant difference in the evaluation of novice nurses caring behaviors when grouped according to type of institution and area of assignment. The supplemental service oriented program was based on the determined weaknesses of novice nurses in terms of their caring behaviors which focus on following: (1) Medication Administration Skills; (2) Advocacy/Initiative to validate orders; (3) Active Listening; (4) Health Education; and (5) Projecting Positive Image. With respect to the results of the present study, the following are hereby recommended: (1) That caring behaviors of novice nurses be continuously assessed as part of their regular performance appraisal in a tri-focal approach utilizing patient feedback, self-evaluation and head nurses evaluation. Immediate feedbacking can be made so as to facilitate both professional and personal growth of the novices. (2) That key areas such as competence, compassion and confidence be looked into where significant differences in the evaluation were noted. (3) That seminars or training programs be conceptualized and instituted focusing on weaknesses such as advocacy, health teaching, medication administration, personality development and communication or active listening skills. (4) That the proposed supplemental service oriented program be tested for its effectiveness and consequently be utilized for entry-level staff nurses. (5) That a similar study be conducted utilizing the variables indicated in this research covering a larger sample, employing various methodologies and on a different locale.

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