Needs assessment for master of nursing program among Kenyan nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Background:

• Global nursing shortages disproportionately affect Africa, with limited higher education access.
• Graduate nurses in Kenya face challenges in advancing their education and career.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess the demand for a Master of Nursing (MScN) program in Kenya.
• Identify preferred MScN specializations and existing skills gaps among graduate nurses.
• Examine the relationship between MScN program interest and job satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with Kenyan graduate nurses.
• Data collected included socio-demographics, job satisfaction, and skills mismatch.
• The desire for MScN, preferred specializations, and correlation with job satisfaction were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 94.9% of nurses expressed a desire for MScN training, with critical care/renal specialization being most preferred (24.9%).
• A significant skills mismatch was reported, with 89.9% of nurses feeling under-skilled for their responsibilities.
• No significant correlation was found between the need for an MScN program and job satisfaction (r=0.058, p=0.269).

Conclusions:

• There is a substantial demand for MScN programs in Kenya, especially in critical care.
• Establishing more MScN programs and ensuring appropriate nurse deployment are crucial.
• Addressing skills gaps and enhancing career pathways are essential for the nursing workforce.