Professionalism and Its Predictors among Nurses Working in Jimma Zone Public Hospitals, South West Ethiopia

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.