Nurses' opinions and experiences on the use of the nursing process: A mixed method study

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aims to explore nurses' opinions about and experience in application of and teaching nursing process. Methodology: The study was conducted as eclectic research with 235 nurses in Kepez State Hospital, and conducted between October 2020 and January 2022. Data was collected through questionnaires and semi-structured focus group interviews, and it was analysed using descriptive and comparative statistical methods. Qualitative data was analysed by means of thematic analysis. Findings: The study revealed that 87.7 % of the nurses held a bachelor degree, 82.6 % chose the profession of nursing voluntarily, 86.8 % received education related to the nursing process, 40 % worked in intensive care unit, and 46 % provided care for 1-5 patients.The nurses stated that nursing process and care were carried out in an organized way (94 %), nursing process provided wholistic (93.2 %), systematic (91.9 %), planned and appropriate for the purpose (92.3%) work conditions, and that they were competent (74.5 %) in the application of nursing process. According to the nurses in the study, lack of time (70.2 %), duties excluding nursing (68.1 %), and excessive number of patients (59.1 %) imposed restraint on the application of nursing process. Three main and six subthemes related to the nursing process were identifed in focus group interviews. The main themes were 'a way of thinking', 'guiding in care', 'criticism about nursing process in the electronic system'. Conclusion: The nurses in the study were found to believe in the benefits and necessity of the nursing process and consider themselves as competent in the application of it. However, it was also found out that institutional barriers went beyond this, in-service training was not adequate, and electronic nursing process limited the nurses. Institutional improvements aiming the establishment of the nursing process in the institution are thought to be essential. Key Words: Nursing process, opinions about nursing process, application of nursing process