Nurses' decision making skill in the clinical nursing setting of a tertiary hospital

ABSTRACT

Clinical decision making in nursing practice is a systematic process involves in identifying problems to ensure optimum delivery of patient care. The study aimed to examine the nurses' decision-making skill in the clinical nursing setting of a tertiary hospital. Ninety three respondents were recruited in this study using Jenkins Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale [CDMNS]. The four subscales of CDMS were search for alternatives and options [mean of 25.99 +/- 3.049]; canvassing for objectives and values [mean of 27.76 +/- 31.50]; evaluation and re-evaluation of consequences [mean of 25.89 +/- 4.437] and search for information and unbiased assimilation of new information [mean of 27.54 +/- 3.939]. There were significant differences between the respondents' marital status with CDMNS subscale of canvassing for objectives and values [t=2.916, p value <.05] and respondents' satisfaction with CDMNS subscale of evaluation and reevaluation of consequences [t =2.932, p value <.05]. Significant differences existed between respondents academic qualifications with CDMNS subscale of evaluation and re-evaluation of consequences [F=6.649, p value< .05] and search for information and unbiased assimilation of new information [F = 6.0009, p value <.05]. Developing decision-making skills are essential in translating theoretical nursing knowledge to clinical practice