FACTORS INFLUENCING CLINICAL PERFORMANCE IN THE WARD AMONG NURSES WORKING AT MADONNA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ELELE, RIVERS STATE

Nursing education is an essential component of healthcare delivery, as it prepares students to become competent and skilled healthcare professionals. The assessment of clinical competence is therefore an important issue in nursing education. The focus of this study was to assess the knowledge of clinical procedures and clinical performance among senior nursing students in Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State. Four specific objectives and research questions were formulated to guide the study. The target population for this study was comprised of 144 senior nursing students in their fifth year of study in Madonna University in Rivers State. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the students' knowledge of nursing procedures, and clinical performance was assessed through observation. The data were analyzed and descriptively summarized with the use of frequency, percentages and tables. The results of the study showed that the majority of the respondents had excellent knowledge of nursing procedures (X̄ = 4.26) and demonstrated moderately satisfied clinical performance (X̄ = 2.78). However, the respondents agreed that there were factors contributing to poor performance such as lack of practice opportunities, insufficient training, etc. (X̄ = 3.38). Lastly, based on the results, the respondents strongly agreed on several strategies such as additional practice opportunities, reducing stress and anxiety, increased confidence in practice and the knowledge and skills, and the use of technology such as simulation (X̄ = 4.82). Based on the findings, it was recommended that nursing procedures and clinical performance must be used as an integral part of the overall assessment strategy at the undergraduate nursing educational programs. Keywords: knowledge, nursing students, nursing procedure, clinical performance