Factors affecting performance in the nursing registration examination among diploma Graduates working in Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

The study sought to establish the factors affecting the diploma graduates performance in the Nursing registration examination. Necessitated by poor performance recorded in recent years, this study was aimed at seeking to establish the reasons why. This was a descriptive study. Quantitative data was collected using self-administered semi structured questionnaires from 75 KRCHN graduates working at Kenyatta National Hospital. The questionnaire focused on the student and lecturer's characteristics, training resources at Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs) and the training hospitals, the licensing and college qualifying examinations. Mbagathi District Hospital was chosen for piloting. The study areas were purposively selected and the study subjects selected through simple random sampling. A study guide was used to conduct in-depth interviews with lecturers at KMTC Nairobi. Secondary data on past performance in the two examinations was used to supplement the findings. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The data was subjected to Pearson product moment correlation to establish how the findings related to NCK examination performance. Results of the study showed a strong positive relationship between: the papers graduates found to be most challenging and performance (r=I), and the papers graduate found as most challenging and the quality of clinical experience received in that field (r=0.8). Other factors found to have a significant effect on performance in the nursing council examination were, resources at the training facilities, and the training programme for distance learning upgrading nurses. The study recommends that efforts be directed towards a review in the implementation of the distance learning program and provision of adequate resources in the schools and training hospitals. It also calls for more collaboration between the schools the Nursing Council of Kenya, and the training hospitals, with each embracing the significant role they play in moulding the future care givers must as well be ensured. The study also recommended that the same study be extended to other facilities countrywide including non-governmental facilities, further study be carried out to establish relationship between performance in the licensing examination and professional competence, and a study on the validity and reliability of the licensing examination.