Application of a Nursing Care Protocol Based on King's Theory of Goal Attainment: a Pre-Experimental Study

Abstract

Objective: Peripheral Intravenous catheterization is a common clinical procedure that demands a high level of nursing competency. This study intends to assess the effect of nursing care protocol for peripheral intravenous therapy on knowledge and practice of registered nurses and the association between pretest knowledge scores and selected socio-demographic variables using King’s conceptual framework and Goal Attainment Theory. Methodology: One group- pretest-posttest design, was used with self - reports and observation methods to collect knowledge and practice data from 30 registered nurses selected by simple random sampling (lottery method). Structured questionnaire and checklist based on personal, interpersonal, and social system of king’s conceptual system was used to assess the knowledge and practice of registered nurses, respectively. Results: Even though 30% of the nurses had attended previous continuing education on peripheral intravenous therapy, only 3.3% had very good knowledge. There was a significant difference in the knowledge and practice after implementation of the nursing care protocol. The pre-test knowledge scores have association with attendance in previous continuing nursing education. Conclusion: Study findings reveals the advantages of protocol development and improved knowledge and practice of nurses, which in turn obviously increase the health status of the patients and quality index of the hospital. Recommendation: The novice nurses can be educated on the protocol as a hospital policy enhancing the effectiveness of nursing care. Its implication can be evaluated using nursing audit at periodic intervals. Keywords: King’s conceptual framework, Goal Attainment Theory, nursing care protocol, peripheral intravenous therapy, knowledge, and practice.