Knowledge and Policymaking Competences of Nursing Professionals

Abstract

This study sought to understand the knowledge and policymaking competences of nursing professionals in Zimbabwe’s public health institutions. In this study, three Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association staff members, two Zimbabwe Medical Health Board staff members, and eight nurses were used as the research subjects. Interviews based on a self designed interview guide were used as the research instrument. Documentary review method was also used to provide a broadened base of information on nurses’ involvement in policy making processes. The study showed that while nursing professionals in public institutions exhibit policymaking competences, the infective organisational structure of ZINA, resource constraints, legislative restrictions and gender disparity negatively affected nurses’ involvement in PMPs. This study recommends that ZINA should establish an effective organisational structure that will allow nurses to engage in PMPs, nurses should engage development partners and the training curricula for nursing should include educational materials on PMPs and government processes. Finally, the study recommended that further research be undertaken in order to establish how evidence based public health polices can be formulated.