Determining Nurses' Knowledgeability of Nursing Diagnoses

This study has been conducted with a view to determining nurses' level of cognizance and knowledgeability in regard to nursing diagnoses that are frequently encountered in the case of individuals who need care. Research population consisted of 650 nurses who have been working at Erzurum Ataturk University Research Hospital. The study has covered 100 nurses who agreed to take part in the research. The data has been collected by means of a questionnaire that was developed by the researcher and which included questions aimed at determining the nurses' demographic characteristics as well as their level of cognizance and knowledgeability in respect of nursing diagnoses. Data collected has been analysed by use of SPSS software. 81.0 % of the nurses have stated that nursing diagnoses must be used in patient care. Likewise, the rate of nurses who have suggested that trainings provided in the field of nursing diagnoses are inadequate is also 81.0 %. On the other hand, 33.0 % of the nurses have stated that they have received no training in that field. Based on defining characteristics of various nursing diagnoses, the nurses' correct answers as to identification of such diagnoses have the following rates: diagnosis of constipation and diagnosis of diarrhoea,61.0 %;diagnosis of disturbed personal identity,1.0%. It has been found out that there was a significant difference between the nurses' educational levels and their correct answers regarding the identification of nursing diagnoses. On the other hand, it has been determined that there was no significant difference between nurses' term of employment and their correct answers as to nursing diagnoses. As a result of the research conducted, it has been determined that the nurses' knowledgeability of nursing diagnoses is not at the desired level.