Experience of nurses using the basic nursing science in performing nursing care for patients at RSUD Dr. Soedomo Trenggalek, Indonesia

Introduction: The provision of humanistic and professional nursing care services needs to be carried out comprehensively, and it must cover patients’ bio-psycho-socio-spiritual aspects. This indicates nurses have to integrate all the basic nursing science, including physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, and pathophysiology, while carrying out their duties. This integration helps to provide the best care for their patients, but they often uncertain about the basic science approach to use. Therefore, this study aimsto explore the experience of nurses using basic nursing science in caring for patients with chronic diseases. Design and Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 5 nurses working in chronic disease wards for at least 5 years. Each respondent was then interviewed using a self-constructed questionnaire. Results: All respondents agreed that basic nursing science is important in providing quality healthcare services. Furthermore, six themes were identified using the thematic analysis, namely (1) the process of collecting patient data, which was more focused and organized; (2) required for establishing the nursing diagnosis; (3) useful for determining the nursing care plan; (4) it is a basis for implementing nursing actions; (5) provides a basis for monitoring and follow-up; (6) and teamwork between health personnel is more effective. Conclusions: Based on the interview results, nurses need knowledge and skills in basic nursing science while caring for patients with chronic diseases. Furthermore, basic nursing sciences lay the foundation for nurses while assessing patients, diagnosing, planning the care, implementing nursing actions, evaluating patients’ condition, and collaborating with other health personnel.