Abstract
Introduction: The nursing process is a critical thinking model that utilizes a systematic and scientific approach to deliver effective nursing care. Its successful implementation depends on adequate knowledge, support, and resources. However, there is a lack of comprehensive information regarding the nursing process in Iraq. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge about the nursing process and identify the barriers to its application within the public healthcare system in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 public hospital nurses from February 12 to June 5, 2024. Data were collected through direct interviews and a structured questionnaire. The study examined socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of the nursing process, and barriers to its implementation. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used for data analysis. Results: This study assessed 210 nurses from public hospitals, with a mean age of 29.1 years. The findings revealed that 58.1% of the participants had inadequate knowledge of the nursing process. While the majority (60.3%) demonstrated good knowledge of the assessment step, their knowledge was notably poor in other steps: diagnosis (28.7%), planning (37.2%), implementation (42.6%), and evaluation (43.5%).Several factors were significantly associated with better knowledge, including being aged 25–29 years (P = 0.012), holding a bachelor’s degree or higher (P = 0.001), having 1–3 years of experience (P = 0.034), and working as critical care nurses (P = 0.041).Nurses identified multiple barriers that significantly hindered the application of the nursing process. These barriers included insufficient time (61.4%), lack of training (68.1%), staff shortages (79.5%), excessive workload (80.5%), low motivation (78.1%), lack of acceptance from physicians (79.5%), inadequate information (60.5%), poor collaboration among staff members (61%), absence of checklists (81.4%), insufficient support from hospitals (81.5%) and the ministry (85.7%), lack of an evaluation framework (79.5%), and unclear job descriptions (82.4%). Conclusion: The study revealed that a significant proportion of nurses possess limited knowledge of the nursing process. Key barriers to its effective implementation include administrative challenges, suboptimal work environments, and ambiguous roles among stakeholders. Addressing these obstacles and implementing targeted strategies to enhance nurses' understanding and application of the nursing process are critical for improving healthcare outcomes.
