Abstract:
Background: Nurses demonstrating the attributes of professionalism impact positively on
patient satisfaction and health outcomes. Attributes of Professionalism include knowledge, spirit
of inquiry, accountability, autonomy, advocacy, innovation and visionary, collaboration and
collegiality, and ethics. The study determined the level of professionalism and its predictors
among nurses working in Jimma Zone Public Hospitals, South west Ethiopia.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design supplemented by in-depth interview was
conducted in Jimma zone public hospitals from March 2 to March 18, 2015 and systematic
sampling technique was used to select a total of 332 study subjects. Data were collected using
self-administered questionnaires and qualitatively with an in-depth interview. Data were entered
into EpiData version 3.1 and analysed using SPSS version 21.00. One-way analysis of variance,
independent sample T-tests and Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to
identify predictors of professionalism and significance was checked at p<0.05. Qualitative data
were analyzed using thematization technique.
Results: The respondents mean score of professionalism was 22.27 ± 4.35 and only 88 (30.3%)
of the nurses score high level of professionalism. The independent t- test and One-way analysis
of variance result revealed age, sex and marital status were significantly associated with
professionalism. The multivariable linear regression showed that professional self-image
(ß=.207, p<.001), organizational culture (ß=.013, p=.030) and educational level (ß=.443,
p=.012) was a significant predictor of professionalism in nursing.
Conclusion: The professionalism levels of nurses were low. Organizational factors, professional
self-image, age group and educational level were significant predictors of professionalism and
being single, male and in the age between 20 and 29 showed high score on professionalism scale.
Recommendation: Matron, Human Resource Personnel and Chief Executive Officers of
respective hospitals should develop various educational programmes for nurses and provide
encouraging environments for obtaining higher degrees, in order to improve nursing
professionalism.
