Knowledge Levels, Experiences, and Challenges in Critical Care Nursing: A Mixed-Methods Study at Gushiegu Municipal Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

This study was necessary to address the evident gap in critical care skills and support systems specific to this facility. At Gushegu Municipal Hospital, the effectiveness of critical care management heavily depends on the knowledge and skills of nurses, who play a crucial role in determining patient outcomes. A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design was employed to integrate findings. Quantitative data were collected from 133 nurses using a validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.8), while qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 5 purposively selected ICU nurses. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 29, and qualitative data underwent thematic analysis using NVivo version 12. The demographic profile of the quantitative sample revealed that 72% of respondents were female, with a mean age of 34 years (SD = 6.2), and an average of 5.1 years (SD = 2.8) of professional nursing experience. Quantitative findings indicated that only 48% of nurses demonstrated adequate knowledge of critical care protocols, with particular challenges in ECG interpretation (only 42% confident) and complex patient assessments (55%). The qualitative analysis identified three core themes: Knowledge Gaps and Training Needs — highlighting deficiencies in critical care skills and a desire for ongoing professional development. The findings underscore the urgent necessity for systemic interventions to bridge knowledge gaps, enhance resource availability, and foster a supportive work environment.