Administrative planning and its relationship to the efficiency of performance of nursing department officials

Abstract

Background: Administrative planning is a core function influencing the performance efficiency of nursing department officials, yet its relationship to actual performance outcomes in hospital nursing administration remains under-examined, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Objective: To identify administrative planning practices and their relationship to the performance efficiency of nursing department officials at Al-Diwaniyah General Hospital, Iraq.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from September 1, 2023 to April 20, 2024. A purposive (non-probability) sample of 50 responsible nurses holding a university degree, technical diploma, preparatory school certificate, or nursing school certificate, and with more than three years of experience in nursing administration, was recruited from the hospital. A researcher-developed questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, administrative planning, and performance efficiency was used, with reliability and validity established through a pilot study. Data were collected via the questionnaire and structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation) and the t-test.

Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between administrative planning and performance efficiency among nursing department officials. The hospital was found to have deficiencies in its institutional structure for nursing administration.

Conclusion: Administrative planning is significantly associated with the performance efficiency of nursing officials. Strengthening the professional and scientific development of nursing administrative cadres, establishing a clearer institutional structure, opening bridging pathways for career advancement, and attracting more female staff to address acute shortages are recommended to improve nursing department performance.