Nursing Manpower at Ministry of Health Hospitals in Beni-Suef Governorate: utilization and problems

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Nursing Administration Department, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-suef University.

2 Nursing Administration, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University.

Abstract

Background: The growing need for better utilization of nursing manpower in the delivery
of health care is a significant aspect of the national concern. So, nursing manpower should be
well managed to improve health services efficiently. Aim: The current study aimed to explore
utilization and problems of nursing manpower at Ministry of Health hospitals in Beni-Suef
governorate. Subject and Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was used. The study was
conducted at ten hospitals which provide both inpatient and out-patient services. The hospitals
included in the study were affiliated to the Ministry of Health at Beni-Suef governorate. Sample
of this study included; a simple random sample of 495 nurses was selected to assess their opinion
about nature of the work and its problems, and nurses’ personal records of the total (2024) nurses
were retrospectively audited. Data were collected using two tools; Nurses oppinionnaire about
nature of the work and its problems, and auditing checklist to review nurses personal records
retrospectively for one year. Results: The results showed that the highest moderate utilization
was at the Rural Hospitals (53.6%), and the highest low utilization levels were at Beni-Suef
General Hospital and Specialty Hospitals (67.4% & 65.8% respectively). Also, the highest total
percentage of all studied nurses sees lack of supply and facilities lack of training programs as a
work problem (39.3% & 38.7% respectively).Conclusion: The study concluded that lack of
supplies and training were the main problems, and utilization level ranged from 20% to 59% for
Beni-Suef governorate hospitals. Recommendations: The study recommends designing nursing
manpower plan based on relevant data and estimated future needs, continues training programs,
empowering nursing administrators with adequate authority

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