Training needs assessment for continuing professional nursing education at juba teaching hospital, south Sudan

Background: On July 9, 2011, South Sudan declared its independence from North Sudan, becoming the newest country in the world after a civil war that lasted for almost four decades. The years of war resulted in acute shortage of skilled labor in all sectors of the government, nursing included. Description: The assessment was conducted in May 2012 at Juba Teaching Hospital. The main aim was to explore the needs for in-service continuing education among nurses. Data collection was conducted via semi-structured interviews, facility assessments and participant observations. Lessons Learned: Majority of key informants stated that nursing care at the hospital needed improvement. An overwhelming majority of nurses explained that the severe lack of medical equipment and supplies, nursing shortages and a lack of continuing nursing education contribute to the poor nursing care. Basic equipment including thermometers, blood pressure machines, stethoscopes, oxygen concentrators, emergency drugs and infection control protocols were lacking in most of the units. Patient medication orders were never started on time and nursing documentation was minimal at best. The difference between nursing and non-nursing duties was unclear to most nurses. A number of nurses wanted skills on communications, nursing ethics, medication administration, infection control and care of unconscious patients. Recommendations: In collaboration with the ministry of health: develop a nursing policies and procedures manual, develop a framework for continuing nursing education in the country, improve the status and visibility of the nursing profession and integrate clinical care with community based public health programs.