According to the expected level of competence and in-service experience, the Department of Nursing Services upholds professional
standards of practice according to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), in close partnership with the National Association
of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and ensures compliant with the Universal Codes of Ethics as established by the International
Council of Nursing (ICN).
OUR VISION
Caring for humanity through effective management of available resources (i.e. human, intellectual, capital,
technological gadgets, equipments, etc.)
OUR MISSION
- To be the most preferred centre of excellence by all healthcare consumers in every aspect of current and
emerging nursing care practice.
- To efficiently manage available resources for prompt service delivery with optimal client satisfaction.
- To always lead the pace of excellence in clinical nursing through scientific and technological advancement,
serving humanity as the centre of reference in quality nursing care for all.
- To constantly elevate nursing service standards through scientific education and continuing professional
training of frontline practitioners in the health care industry.
OBJECTIVES OF NURSING CARE SERVICES
The primary objective of Nursing is to provide services that meet the health needs of the individual families and
community. This will be accomplished by recognizing all efforts directed towards meeting the individuals needs.
The Specific Objectives are:
- ensure that the Nursing Services Department is well administered, and the health care policies are translated and well
implemented effectively at all levels of the Department.
- recruit personnel in sufficient quantity and quality who will not only maintain a high standard of Nursing Care but will
also be suitable for continued learning experience and professional development.
- provide comprehensive Nursing Care in collaboration with other health professionals, within the policies framework of
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex.
- Improve the qualities of Nursing Care through continuous emphasis on the Nursing Process.
- provide opportunities for clinical instruction, experience and acquisition of knowledge in training programmes.
- maintain a programme of continuing education, in order to enhance personnel in the performance of their duties,
encourage them to develop themselves and be kept abreast of current professional trends.
- promote effective intra and inter departmental communication so as to maintain cordial relationship.
- Initiate and support research projects for the improvements of Nursing and Medical Care.
- ensure good health, safety and welfare of all nursing personnel involved, and to develop a system of counseling and
appraisal.
- strive towards job satisfaction for all Nursing Staff.
SERVICE COMPONENTS OF NURSING CARE
The fundamental components of Nursing Care adopted as the guiding reference in the approaches of our client-centered
service in the department are as follows:
- RELIEF:comforting to the client and supportive to the immediate family and significant others
(i.e. siblings, relatives, associates, community residents, etc.)
- RESTORATION:helping clients attain their pre-morbid state according to the scientific concept of
health-illness continuum.
- REHABILITATION:rapid social reintegration of our clients, enhancing their positive coping mechanisms to
actualize and maintain optimal activities of daily living and functional productivity for sustenance of their wellbeing.
- RENEWAL:staying healthy through self-care, preventive habits and healthy behaviors through health
education as an integral component of nursing care.
- REWARDING:meeting client's expectations of satisfaction and outcome of care within the limitations of available resources.
NURSING CARE APPROACH -- Domains of Nursing Care!
To achieve the above stated service components, every PROFESSIONAL NURSE employed in the Department of Nursing
Services in the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex applies the following DOMAINS of Nursing
Care in his/her professional practice.
- COGNITIVE DOMAIN: The is application of current SCIENTIFIC Knowledge in our everyday professional practice,
staying abreast of clinical updates through CASE STUDIES, SPECIALTY STUDY GROUPS, CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS and WEB-BASED LEARNING
as facilitated by our CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT. The Department being an integral part of a University Teaching Hospital is
determined and committed towards the development of the intellectual assets of our nurse clinicians as they are expected to
mentor the NEXT GENERATION of scientific nurses.
- AFFECTIVE DOMAIN: As PROFESSIONAL NURSES, we demonstrate the ART of CARING through courtesy and soothing
words of consolation, thereby enhancing psychological comfort and promoting POSITIVE Nurse-Patient/Client Relationship.
The impressive outlook of our professional uniform and affectionate attitude are paramount towards the establishment of
TRUST as a fundamental necessity for mutual UNDERSTANDING and proactive solution-oriented Nursing Care services that is
CULTURALLY acceptable and ETHICALLY compliant.
- PSYCHOMOTOR DOMAIN: Experience fosters expertise as professionals perfect skills through practice.
Meeting the Daily Care Needs of our Clients according to the Abraham Maslow's Concept of Human Needs requires that
Professional Nurses carry out specialized PROCEDURES. The outcome of care is therefore determined by the level of
expertise and skillfulness of the PROFESSIONAL, when provided with adequate required resources to carry out specified
tasks within a positive practice environment.
Hence, the Psychomotor domain is emphasized by the Department of Nursing Care by adopting the NURSING CARE PLAN
as the professional TOOL used in planning while physically delivering care, after utilizing the NURSING PROCESS
in taking client history and critical assessment towards making diagnosis of the ACTUAL and POTENTIAL NEEDS of the
CLIENT accurately expressed in compliance to the NANDA International Nursing Diagnosis Template.
This is the documented part of nursing care and requires professional expertise, skill and experience which are
acquired only in practice by consistently using the COGNITIVE and AFFECTIVE domains to establish a Positive Nurse-Client
Relationship as a prerequisite for facilitating client's consent to care, co-operation and collective responsibility
to actualize the PREMIUM STANDARDS of NURSING CARE according to our QUALITY ASSURANCE POLICY.
SERVICE DELIVERY -- INTEGRATED NURSING SERVICES
Implementing the Ife Philosophy in the delivery of our nursing care, the hospital services are delivered
in an integrated model with multiple units operating corresponding subunits at the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary
Health care levels. Core emphasis is placed on the following determinants when designing our Service Packages for
Clinical Nursing Care in the Department of Nursing Services:
- Availability – Health for all, all for Health!
In accordance to the Ife Philosophy and our believe that sound
HEALTH is a UNIVERSAL FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT of ALL; our Nursing Care Services are designed to suit every INDIVIDUAL
seeking solace in our clinical facilities across our coverage areas.
- Accessibility - Service without discrimination!
In accordance to the International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics,
our ultimate goal is to deliver NON-DISCRIMINATORY quality nursing care services in all the health care centres and service
units of the OAUTHC without any delay or denial of any individual, sick or well, rich or poor, young or old. Every
INDIVIDUAL seeking nursing care is given priority on a first come, first serve basis without any form of unethical bias by
social status, lobbying or personal favorites.
- Affordability - Cost effective management!
Considering Nigeria as a developing nation and an emerging economy,
majority of those seeking health care in our clinical facilities are of average financial status and mostly financially
challenged. Therefore, our pricing principle is guided by the passion for humanity.
STANDARDS OF SERVICE
The acronym 'PREMIUM' is used to describe the STANDARDS of SERVICE as our promise of Quality Assurance to all our clients;
P - PROMPT and POCKET-FRIENDLY
R - RELIABLE and RESTORATIVE
E - ETHICAL and EVIDENCE-BASED
M - METICULOUS and MULTI-DIMENSIONAL (bio-psycho-social)
I - INDIVIDUALIZED and INNOVATIVE
U - UNIQUE and UNIVERSAL
M - MODERN and METHODICAL
The acronyms captioned above conceptualizes the fundamental index adopted by all professional Nurses in the
Department of Nursing Services while delivering nursing care services to every client in our clinical facilities
within the coverage areas of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex.
IN-SERVICE POLICY
The World Health Organization described the Nurse as “a person having received authorized education and training,
has acquired knowledge, skill and attitudes in the promotion of health, the prevention of illness and the care of the
sick. Thus, making her an integral member of the health team, capable of solving within the unit of his or her
competence the health problem which arise in the community”. Moreover, the International Council of Nurses (ICN)
simply describe the nurse as “a person who has completed a program of basic nursing education and is qualified as
authorized (legally licensed) in his or her country to practice nursing.”
According to the expected level of competence and in-service experience, the Department of Nursing Services
upholds professional standards of practice according to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN),
in close partnership with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and ensures compliant
with the Universal Codes of Ethics as established by the International Council of Nursing (ICN). Hence, the
Department operates an IN-SERVICE POLICY which ENFORCES that:
- All practicing NURSES engaged in the service of nursing care MUST possess APPROPRIATE, CURRENT and
VALID LICENSE issued and endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
- Must be a participatory, financial member of the umbrella professional association (NANNM).
- Must wear the Approved Professional Uniform corresponding to their cadre and display their Original
Identity Card issued by OAUTHC alongside the NMCN PIN/TAG for Registered Nurses while on official duty
and rendering care to clients within the OAUTHC hospital units.
OUR SERVICE STRUCTURE
To achieve the above stated service components and standards, the Department of Nursing Services in the
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex organized her nursing workforce based on SPECIALIZATION
and SEGMENTATION for optimal nursing care experience of our clients, effectively COORDINATED within the entire
OAUTHC institution. The organogram below highlights the Service Units that are coordinated within the
Department of Nursing Services.
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
The Continuing Education Unit works in conjunction with the Nursing Audit and Quality Assurance Unit for SERVICE FEEDBACKS
from clients, employers, community, academic institutions, tracking the trends of nursing practice in the global society.
These feedbacks are consistently monitored, analyzed and integrated into Course Contents during Curriculum Development as
cardinal objectives of the In-Service Training for our Nursing Personnel. Moreover, the Course Modules are specifically
designed to meet the developmental strides of our NURSES corresponding to their Service Requirements/Job description as
they progress through the ranks of our professional cadres. The Continuing Education Unit organizes periodic sessions of
in-service trainings through clinical seminars, workshops and annual scientific conferences during which client-oriented
case-studies are discussed, ethical issues are debated and Nursing Intervention Classifications and Nursing Care Outcomes
are criticized.
These eventually provides innovative ideas and dynamic methodologies of delivering Nursing Care thereby stimulating
continual review and ensuring effective updates of our Procedure Manuals considering practical, on-the-job challenges
influencing the delivery of quality nursing care services for optimal client satisfaction.
PROFESSIONAL CADRES IN NURSING SERVICES
In the Department of Nursing Services, we believe that “Ambiguity of job description or scheme of service
is the ultimate cause of ineffective staff resource management and poor accountability which eventually result
into service deficiency, standard devaluation and productivity deficit consequently leading to institutional
liability as a result of consumer dissatisfaction”. To obliterate this phenomenon, every Professional Cadre
has clearly specified corresponding classification of their Service Requirements/Scheme of Service which helps
in objective assessment of our NURSES in compliance with the Annual Civil Service Appraisals, Eligibility
Criteria and Recommendation for Promotion Exercises.
The professional cadres in Nursing Services are as follows:
*NOTE: To ensure service efficiency, all our NURSES irrespective of their PROFESSIONAL CADRE, work at the
bedside on the wards as NURSE CLINICIANS being their primary focus of nursing duty as well as performing their
SUPERVISORY and MANAGERIAL TASKS concurrently on demand. This also helps to facilitate professional mentorship,
knowledge sharing and skill upgrade among our nursing staffs.
AVAILABLE FACILITIES FOR NURSING CARE SERVICES
In total, the total bed complement available in our Hospital Units as effectively organized into Service
Units and Sectional Segments are as follows:
| IHU Phase I |
IHUPhase II |
Theatre/Endoscopy Unit, IHU |
IHU Phase IVA |
IHU Phase IVB |
Ife Dental Center Unit |
Wesley Guild Hospital Unit |
Total |
| Dept |
7 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
15 |
54 |
| Wards |
5 |
7 |
Suites |
11 |
6 |
1 |
20 |
50 |
| Clinics |
9 |
2 |
Suites |
6 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
30 |
| Beds |
84 |
70 |
16 |
184 |
90 |
2 |
264 |
710 |
OUR HUMAN RESOURCES
The OAUTHC Department of Nursing Services offers specialist nursing care in segmented areas of Nursing Care with 814 Professional
Nurses and Health Attendants 411. In organization of our Work Schedule per Shift, the Principle of Specialty
Skill Mix is implemented which ensures that a Specialist is always on duty in each Specialty Ward throughout the 24 hours
Shift period.
With respect to our Human Resource Development Policy through Capacity Building for Optimal Service Delivery, (OSD), there
are 337 Licensed Specialists as at February, 2021 in the Department of Nursing Services, Midwifery Specialty not inclusive
which is a standard requirement for all our Female Nursing Officers. Some of our Nursing Specialists are licensed in,
Orthopaedics, Perioperative, Accident and Emergency, Nurse Administration, Hospital Infection Control, Psychiatric/Mental
Health, Paediatrics, Opthalmics, Burns and Plastic, Intensive Care, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Heamodialysis/Renal Nursing
and Cardio-Thoracic Nursing Anaesthetist.
Some of our Nurses have also received Professional Training Courses in HIV/AIDS Nursing Care Management from reputable
Clinical Experts with the establishment of a well equipped IHVN Clinic donated to the OAUTHC Management by the Institute of
Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) for intensive training, scientific research and quality management of patients requiring prompt
specialist care and continuous client-based support through partnership with International institutions or Non-Profit
organizations.
The department also provides opportunity for interested nursing personnels seeking to advance their training for professional
development through Part-Time Study Agreements and Leave of Absence for Full-Time Study in Nigerian and Foreign Universities.
This has accorded our nurses the opportunity to actualize their academic pursuits for Bachelor's Degree, Masters' Degree and
PhD. Degrees in Nursing and other Health-Related Courses like Health Education, Public Health, Psychology, Nutrition etc.
SPECIALIST SERVICE CENTRES
The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex is well known across Nigeria and beyond as the Centre of
Excellence in RENAL and HEAMODIALYSIS CARE. Historically, the first successful Renal Transplant was carried out in OAUTHC
in 2004. Moreover, as the training instituiton that pioneered the School of Perioperative Nursing as Specialist Course
for Nurses, the Department of Nursing Services collaborates with the training institution in specialist training of
Perioperative Nurses across Nigeria. Moreover, the Department also collaborates with various institutions, serving
as the clinical training facility for Student Nurses, Student Midwives, Nursing and Medical Students of the College
of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy, Ile-Ife and many others.
Due to the high number of skilled and efficient Peri-operative Nursing Personnel available in OAUTHC, the Department of
Nursing Services currently manages Eighteen (18) Operating Suites. They are organized for efficient management as follows.
Two Main Theatres with well equipped Six (6) Operating Suites; One Accident and Emergency Theatre (One Dedicated Suite);
One Obstetric Emergency Theatre (Two Dedicated Suites, One Day-Case Theatre) (Three Dedicated Suites to provide affordable,
cost-effective services to clients who require Minor Surgeries or Aseptic Procedures with optimal post-operative recovery
within Eight to Twenty-Four Hours duration). Renal Transplant Centre (Two Dedicated Suites); Ear, Nose and Throat Theatre
(One Dedicated Suite) Opthalmic Theatre (One Dedicated Suite), orthopaedic Theatre (one dedicated suite). Also
ERCP - Endoscopic Retrograde Chelangio pancreatography, a new innovation in patients'care also done in conjuction with
the perioperative nurses. Geriatric clinic now functioning at a lower key at the Wesley Guild Hospital.
As a proof of its capability in specialist services, the OAUTHC Peadeatric Surgical Team which includes Peadeatric
Surgeons, Peadeatric Nurses, Perioperative Nurses and Intensive Care Nurses successfully conducted the First Surgical
Separation of Siamese Twins in Nigeria. Moreover, the institution is a WHO Baby Friendly Centre with strict adherence to
the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and practice of ‘Rooming-In Policy' in our Maternal Centres which encourages
holistic nursing care of newly-delivered mothers and their neonates in close proximity by experienced Midwives of international
repute.
Furthermore, emphasising our devotion to client-centred nursing care; the Department of Nursing Services in
collaboration with specialized healthcare professionals under the co-ordination of the OAUTHC Management, manages
Cardiac Care Centre and Heamatology Day Ward which currently provide specialist care to specific Client-Groups. This peculiar
service centres help to promote easy access to care, simultaneous professional intervention of all the team specialists and
ensure holistic approach to solving client-centred problems.
The Patients Charter
The OAUTHC Health Service is for all people living in or outside Nigeria irrespective of age, sex, ethnic background and religion.
The service requires collaboration between health workers, patients/clients and society. Thus the attainment of optimal health care is dependent on Team Work with synergy.
Nursing service providers must therefore provide for and respect the rights and responsibilities of patients/clients, families, health workers and other health care providers. They must be sensitive to patient's socio-cultural and religious backgrounds, age, gender and other differences as well as the needs of patients with disabilities.
The OAUTHC Health Service expects health care institutions to adopt the patient's charter to ensure that service personnel as well as patients/clients and their families understand their rights and responsibilities.
This Charter is made to protect the Rights of the patient in the OAUTHC Health Service. It addresses:
- The Right of the individual to an easily accessible, equitable and comprehensive health care of the highest quality within the resources of OAUTHC.
- Respect for the patient as an individual with a right of choice in the decision of his/her health care plans.
- The Right to protection from discrimination based on culture, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, age and type of illness or disability.
- The responsibility of the patient/client for personal and communal health through preventive and simple curative strategies.
The Patient's Rights
- The patient has the right to quality basic health care irrespective of his/her geographical location of residence.
- The patient is entitled to full information on his/her condition and management and the possible risks involved except in emergency situations when the patient is unable to make a decision and the need for treatment is urgent.
- The patient is entitled to know of alternative treatment(s) and other health care providers within the Service if these may contribute to improved outcomes.
- The patient has the right to know the identity of all his/her caregivers and other persons who may handle him/her including students, trainees and ancillary workers.
- The patient has the right to consent or decline to participate in a proposed research study involving him or her after a full explanation has been given. The patient may withdraw at any stage of the research/training procedure.
- A patient who declines to participate in or withdraws from a research procedure is entitled to the most effective care available.
- The patient has the right to privacy during consultation, examination and treatment. In cases where it is necessary to use the patient or his/her case notes for teaching and conferences, the consent of the patient must be sought.
- The patient is entitled to confidentiality of information obtained about him or her and such information shall not be disclosed to a third party without his/her consent or the person entitled to act on his/her behalf except where such information is required by law or is in the public interest.
- The patient is entitled to all relevant information regarding policies and regulation of the health facilities that he/she attends.
- Procedures for complaints, disputes and conflict resolution shall be explained to patients or their accredited representatives.
- Hospital charges, mode of payments and all forms of anticipated expenditure shall be explained to the patient prior to treatment.
- Exemption facilities, if any, shall be made known to the patient.
- The patient is entitled to personal safety and reasonable security of property within the confines of the OAUTHC.
- The patient is entitled to personal safety and reasonable security of property within the confines of the OAUTHC.
The Patient's Responsibilities
The patient should understand that he/she is responsible for his/her own health and should therefore co-operate fully with healthcare providers. The patient is responsible for:
- Providing full and accurate medical history for his/her diagnosis, treatment, counseling and rehabilitation purposes.
- Requesting additional information and or clarification regarding his/her health or treatment, which may not have been well understood.
- Complying with prescribed treatment, reporting adverse effects and adhering, to follow up requests.
- Informing his/her healthcare providers of any anticipated problems in following prescribed treatment or advice.
- Obtaining all necessary information, which have a bearing on his/her management and treatment including all financial implications.
- Acquiring knowledge, on preventive, promotive and simple curative practices and where necessary to seeking early professional help.
- Maintaining safe and hygienic environment in order to promote good health.
- Respecting the rights of other patients/clients and Health Service personnel
- Protecting the property of the Health facility (OAUTHC).
Furthermore, emphasizing our devotion to client-centred nursing care; the Department of Nursing Services in collaboration
with specialized healthcare professionals under the co-ordination of the OAUTHC Management, manages Cardiac Care Centre and
Heamatology Day Ward which currently provide specialist care to specific Client-Groups. This peculiar service centres help
to promote easy access to care, simultaneous professional intervention of all the team specialists and ensure holistic
approach to solving client-centred problems.
LIST OF HEAD OF CLINICAL NURSING DEPARTMENT (PAST AND PRESENT)
| S/N |
NAMES |
RANK |
DURATION OF TENURE |
| 1 |
MRS. R.A. Komolafe |
CNO |
5TH JUNE, 1978 - 20TH AUGUST, 1984 |
| 2 |
MRS. D.A.T. OGEDENGBE |
ADNS |
AUGUST 1984 – JUNE, 1993 |
| 3 |
MRS. J.O. ADEGBILE |
ADNS |
JUNE 1993 - NOVEMBER, 1995 |
| 4 |
MR. FRANCIS. A GBAKINRO (1st Male) |
ADNS |
1ST OCT;, 1995 – AUG. 13, 1998 |
| 5 |
MRS. E.A. OGUNADE |
ADNS |
1ST JUNE 1998 – 12TH JUNE, 2001 |
| 6 |
MRS. H. C. AKUEME |
ADNS |
5TH MARCH, 2001 – 12TH AUG, 2002 |
| 7 |
MRS. J. A. ADEKANLA |
ADNS |
AUG. 2002 – APRIL, 2004 |
| 8 |
MRS. E.B. ASHAJU |
ADNS |
APRIL, 2004- JUNE, 2004 |
| 9 |
MRS. F.C. OLADOKE (1st DDNS) |
DDNS |
10TH MAY, 2004 – 22ND OCT; 2007 |
| 10 |
MRS. E. U. OLADIPO |
DDNS |
OCT; 2007 – 2011 |
| 11 |
MRS. E.B. AFOLABI |
ADNS |
2011 – JUNE, 2011 |
| 12 |
MRS. I. O. AGBOOLA (1ST DNS) |
DDNS |
JUNE, 2011 – AUG, 2016 |
| 13 |
MR. J. V. ONINI (1ST SITTING DNS) |
DNS |
AUG, 2016 – 22ND DEC, 2020 |
| 14 |
MRS. M. T. BIFARIN |
DDNS/AG. HOD |
22ND DEC, 2020 - TILL DATE |
Mrs. M. T. Bifarin
Director/ HOD (Nursing Services)
