" Nurse Mentoring: A Key To Quality Of Nursing Care In Labour Rooms "

Abstract

Background: India has made significant progress in maternal health; however, challenges persist, including a high maternal mortality rate and neonatal deaths. The intrapartum and immediate postpartum periods are critical, and the quality of nursing care during these times plays a vital role in maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite efforts to improve care in tertiary centers, limited resources and varying skills among healthcare providers hinder consistent quality. Nurse mentorship programs have been shown to bridge these gaps by improving adherence to clinical guidelines and enhancing overall care.
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a nurse mentorship program on the quality of nursing care provided during the intrapartum and immediate postpartum periods among mentored and non-mentored nurses.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at a selected public health facility, Northern India from November 2022 to January 2023. The study involved 33 nurses working in labor rooms, with 22 in the study group (mentored setting) and 11 in the control group (Non-mentored setting). The study assessed the quality of nursing care using a practice checklist that covered initial assessments, infection control, and care during labor and delivery. Statistical analysis, including an unpaired t-test, was used to compare practice scores between the groups.
Results: The results revealed that nurses in the study group (Main Labour Room) exhibited significantly higher practice scores (16.53±1.60) compared to the control group (Maternity 4 Labour Room) (12.83±2.15), with a statistically significant difference (t = 11.30, p<0.05). The mentorship program led to improved compliance with key practices, such as initial assessments, documentation, and infection control measures.
Conclusion: The nurse mentorship program significantly improved the quality of nursing care during labour and delivery. The findings suggest that mentorship programs are an effective strategy to enhance nursing practices, especially in resource-constrained settings, thereby improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these results.