Volume 5, Issue 6, June – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Challenges in Communication with Nursing and

Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)
1 2
Princewill Aghedo. Isaiah Dada Owoeye.
London Professional Training Centre, Corresponding author
Lagos state. Department of Nursing science,
College of Medicine and Health Science
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state.
3 4 5
Moses Adeyemo Victor Bayem Nwachukwu Oluwatomisin Ogidan
Nurses and Politics, Nigeria University of Benin Teaching Department of Nursing,
Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo University,
Benin-City, Edo state. Ile-Ife, Osun state.

Abstract:- Communication is an important aspect of utilize Information Communication Technology to aid

organisation’s relationship in service to the public. The service delivery [4]. In the world, there is a documented
study investigates nurses’ opinion on ‘Challenges in increase in the statistics of ICT users from one billion to
communicating with Nursing and Midwifery Council of three billion within the space of a decade, which is 2005
Nigeria (NMCN)’. This is a descriptive web-based study and 2015 respectively. ICT is now a key to human
with 896 participants. Data analysis was done using activities and a life wire of any organisation [5]. The
Google form. The result showed that 91.1% majority of increase in the need to be more efficient on the job, in order
the respondents were Registered/Graduate nurses. to secure the means of livelihood, has placed a top priority
Majority 74.1% have tried to reach out to Nursing and on the need to be Information Technology Communication
Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) through email, compliant by individuals at work [6].
phone calls, text messages, Letters etc. 39.2% of those
who reached out by email never got any reply. The In comparison, the present means of communication is
participants suggested a better customer service, faster than the former means. In other to keep abreast with
embracement of online availability and prompt the current trends in communication, NMCN has also
responses to the received messages by Nursing and improved her services to be data driven with ICT
Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The study compliance through the introduction of online registration
recommends that an active online availability by NMCN for registration, licensing etc. According to Robinson-
to improve communication. Bassey & Edet [4], Nursing and Midwifery Council of
Nigeria should reflect their service package to be in line
Keywords:- Challenges, NMCN, Communication, Nursing. with the use of modern technology as nursing service in
this present dispensation needs the combination of nursing
I. INTRODUCTION science with Information science and Computer science.
The directive on these services, registration, licensing etc,
Communication is an integral part of day-to-day has been communicated to nurses in Nigeria [7]. The
activities. It is used to convey feeling, opinion and other Council had earlier mandated among many other things that
relevant matters from one person to another and or across the benchmark for the training of students in Schools of
organisation. Effective communication in an organisation Nursing and Department of Nursing across Nigeria are
increases job output and makes the organisation to succeed internet facilities and appropriate number of computers [4].
[1]. The organisation that render services to the public has
the onus of keeping in tune with the people it serves Organisational appraisal for effectiveness is based on
through continual and uninterrupted communication. her ability to disseminate information or communicate
Communication is stated as one of the core values of a thoughts to people and to receiving a due response that is
nursing regulatory board [2]. An appraisal of organisation’s aimed at meeting the organisational aims and objectives
standard is measured by the function of effective [3]. Although the Council has upgraded its communication
dissemination of information; therefore management team link through the use ICT, however, there are still gaps as
has the responsibilities of ensuring their employees are up many nurses still complain of a delayed service in certain
to task in meeting up with the goal[3]. duties that NMCN renders to them. According to Geraets
[8], challenges with communication could increase the
In the present age, there is a paradigm shift in the waiting time and in turn increases the resolution time-
communication network and this is brought about by the frame, therefore staff training and orientation are the
advent of Information Communication Technology (ICT) obvious means to implementing the new communication
which is the hallmark of communication means in the 21st strategies. The difficulty associated with change in system
century. The key to up-to-date performance in the growing of the nursing board has caused nurses to be worried about
competitive world is the ability of the professionals to their status and credentialing as a registered nurse [9].

IJISRT20JUN685 www.ijisrt.com 1100

Volume 5, Issue 6, June – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Some had put a call through to NMCN, travelled miles to size calculator [10]. 20% non-response/attrition rate was
get the issue solved to time or resolved to fate on the computed to be 730 sample sizes. Since restriction is not
expected services. It is based on this premise that the study controlled online, the response rate makes up to 896,
was conceived to investigate the challenges in thereby making the Data Generating Sample to be 896. The
Communicating with Nursing and Midwifery Council of instrument used was a self-constructed instrument designed
Nigeria (NMCN). to elicit responses in line with the study. The instrument
was created in a Google form and it contains 8 test items to
 Objectives of Study make it time friendly for the respondents. Data collection
The broad objective of the study is to investigate spanned over 8 weeks. Data analysis was through Google
challenges in Communicating with NMCN. The specific automatic analysis. Consent was through implied filling of
objectives for the study are; the questionnaire with willingness.
 To assess nurses’ attempt to communicate with NMCN.
 To determine the time-frame in NMCN reply of the III. RESULTS
messages.
 To assess nurses’ access to NMCN offices Majority 91.1% of the respondents are
Registered/Graduate nurses. 74.1% of the respondents had
II. METHOD AND MATERIAL tried to reach out to NMCN through email, phone calls, text
messages, Letters and social media of which 39.2% never
A descriptive survey was used to access challenges in got any reply when they reached out to NMCN via email.
Communicating with NMCN. The study setting was Majority 78% stated that it is not convenient to travel from
online. The population for the study is 250,000 nurses in their location to any of the NMCN offices and 65.8% know
Nigeria. At 99% Confidence interval and 5% margin of that NMCN have zonal offices across the Six (6) geo-
error, a sample size of 667 was computed using the political zones in Nigeria.
Creative Research Systems Survey software of the Sample

Fig 1:- Attempt to reach out to NMCN

Fig 2:- Time frame in NMCN reply to messages.

IJISRT20JUN685 www.ijisrt.com 1101

Volume 5, Issue 6, June – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Fig 3:- Is it convenient to travel from your present location to any NMCN offices in Nigeria

IV. DISCUSSION Technology in this case may be due to inability to embrace

change or inadequate knowledge on the use of ICT.
 Nurses’ attempt to communicate with NMCN
Majority 91.1% of the respondents are  Time-frame in NMCN reply of the messages
Registered/Graduate nurses. This is in line with a study on 39.2% never got any reply when they reached out to
communication barriers perceived by nurses and patients by NMCN via email. This is not in line with a study by Mutua
Norouzinia et. al.,[11] where 92.7% of nurses held a degree [17] where 83% of the respondents disagreed that the use of
in nursing. Ahmad et. al., [12] (2018) asserted that nurses ICT is a challenge confronting the Department of Extra
who hold an academic degree utilises Information Mural Studies. In a study by Lyngstad et al., [18], most of
Communication Technology at ease than those who hold the respondents 94.9% who where nurses complained that
only a professional certificates. This is not similar with a electronic communication was an obstacle to
study by Amoah et al., [13], where 69% of the respondents communication due to different reason which were;
had a Diploma in Nursing. Inefficient performance (31%), System operation below
expectation (31.1%) and software problems (32.7%). These
74.1% of the respondents had tried to reach out to variables could make a delay in the response to messages to
NMCN through email, phone calls, text messages, Letters be worsened as there is multi-causality on these themes of
and social media. This revealed that majority of the obstacle stated. The result of the present study is
participants utilized Information Communication incongruence with the study by Wagner, Bezuidenhout &
Technology in reaching out to NMCN. In a study by Bello Roos [19], where more than half of the respondents
et.al, [14], 95.9% of the respondents utilised an active e- (56.1%) stated that they were satisfied with the immediate
mail address for communication and over half of the response from the communication. It could be noted that a
respondents 55% checked their e-mail on an average of prompt feedback in communication enhances satisfaction
three times on daily basis. 68% of the respondents of the public who the organisation is serving. In a study by
predominantly use email as a means of Information Geraets [9], it was reported that health organisations are
Communication Technology for communication, followed now in tune with the use of electronic means to bridging the
by mobile phone communication which account for 65%. gap in communication errors, delay or failure which were
In another study by Odiwuor [15], 27.6% of the study the factors to about 80% challenges of the health
participants utilized Information Communication institution. The same study stated that most of the nurses
Technology on their jobs. The study further stated that (97%) would utilize Information Communication
64.8% of the respondents were provided with Desktops Technology in four years to come. This trend utilization of
while 24.4% and 10.8% of the respondents had ICT to enhancing communication is to allow room for easy
desktops/laptops and laptops respectively. The study is in transaction and effectiveness of the services to the public
contrast to a study by Niemi, Hupli & Koivumen [16] which the organisation serves.
where 5% of the respondents had quite poor Information
Communication Technology skill. This means that the  Access to NMCN offices for information
participants do not possess the technical know-how on the Majority 78% stated that it is not convenient to travel
use of Information Communication Technology. In another from their location to any of the NMCN offices, even
study by Oyeboade & Gbotosho [6], 67.3% of the stated though 65.8% of the participants know that NMCN have
that they have phobia for the use of Information zonal offices across the Six (6) geo-political zones in
Communication Technology. It could be deduced that the Nigeria. This corroborates the study by Mutua [17] where
fear associated with the use of Information Communication 93% of the respondents agreed that distance was a
challenge to communication in the department. In a study

IJISRT20JUN685 www.ijisrt.com 1102

Volume 5, Issue 6, June – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
by Ahmad et al., [12] 65% of the participants had RECOMMENDATION
preference for accessing information through the modern
technology than through the use of hard-copies. In the same Based on the results of the study the researchers
study, 73% of the participants considered bringing the gap hereby recommend that;
of distance by accessing information through the use of  NMCN should create a 24 hour per week
Information Communication Technologies. The present communication feedback system that will attend to
effort in saving time and cost of traveling in accessing nurses requesting for any form of information through
services is now being made possible through the utilization any means from the NMCN.
of ICT. Modern technology could mitigate for the hardship  NMCN should set up an active social media platforms
of travelling distance to getting a problem solved. In (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) with
another study by Odiwuor et. al., [15], more than half hotlines (toll free) and employ internet savvy
58.28% of the participants had no access to Information professionals who are fully trained in customer care and
Communication Technology. In a study by Lyngstad et al., ready to respond to calls, mails and any request from
[18], 97.2% of the respondents agreed that electronic nurses globally.
communication is a veritable for interaction. In a study by  NMCN should have an active and effective email
Dash, Haller, Sommer et. al., [20], it was revealed that 85% service with auto-response immediately and prosper
of medical professionals utilise the internet and about 64% response within 24hours.
make use of email to communication. In the same study, it  NMCN should make provision for self-service portal on
was stated that the use of electronic media has brought her website to be interactive 24 hours with the use of
about increase in communication access with adequate bot (Artificial Intelligence apps) that can automatically
functioning of delivery of services return Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
 NMCN should continue to seek the support of the
V. CONCLUSION government and non-governmental organisation e.g SW
Global, where need be, in a bid to improving
The study concluded that most of the respondents who communication network.
are graduate nurses had reached out to NMCN through
different means among which the communication means REFERENCES
were through emails and phone calls. Majority of the
respondents stated that the geographical access to NMCN [1]. Bucata,G & Rizescu AM. The Role of
office is not easy for them even though most of them know Communication in Enhancing Work Effectiveness of
that NMCN zonal offices exist in all the geopolitical zone an Organisation. Land Forces Academy Review.
of the country. Suggestion to improve communication by 2017); Vol. XXII, No 1 (85).
NMCN were stated as; Improved information [2]. Fitzpatrick, L. The importance of communication and
Communication Technology, Personnel training and professional values relating to nursing practice. Links
designation to man the electronic communication and to Health and Social Care. 2018; Vol 3 (1).
active involvement of the NMCN personnel in positive [3]. Asamu FF. Impact of Communication on Workers’
projection of NMCN through effective communication to Performance in Selected Organisations in Lagos State,
the people it is meant to serve. Nigeria. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social
Science (IOSR-JHSS) 2014; Volume 19, Issue 8.
 Implication for nursing management [4]. Robinson-Bassey GC & Edet OB. Nursing
The study on Challenges in Communication with Informatics Education and Use: Challenges and
NMCN revealed that majority of the respondents who Prospects In Nigeria. Global Journal of Pure and
utilised ICT to reach out to NMCN are graduates. The Applied Sciences 2015; VOL. 21, 171-179. DOI:
implication of this to nursing management is that higher http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjpas.v21i2.9
education for nursing could influence the use of modern [5]. Al-Azzawi, AKM & Altmimi, LA. Effect of
technology as a mode of communication rather than the information and communication technology
other system of communication like writing of letters in pen investment on the profitability of the Jordanian
and paper. The respondents also noted that reaching the commercial banks. European Journal of Business and
NMCN office from their domain is not easy; though they Management, 2015; 7(28): 166-73.
are aware there are zonal offices across the country. This [6]. Oyeboade, JA & Gbotosho, AS. "Availability, Access
implies that the present age of the 21st century is geared Points and Use Of Information and Communication
towards making life convenient through the use of ICT in Technologies By Science Students In Selected Private
reaching out rather than travelling miles away to Secondary Schools In Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria"
communicate and solve issues with NMCN. From the from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1595.
study, it is observed that the feedback in communication 2017.
was noted to be poor; the implication is that it is expedient [7]. Filade, OA. Nursing and Midwifery Council of
that service to be rendered should take cognisance of the Nigeria commences online Registration for Newly
present age strategies in its mode of communication. Qualified and Post Basic nurses, 2018 retrieved
fromhttps://www.nursingworldnigeria.com/2018/01/n
ursing-and-midwifery-council-of-nursing-

IJISRT20JUN685 www.ijisrt.com 1103

Volume 5, Issue 6, June – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
commences-online-registration-for-newly-qualiied- [20]. Dash, J., Haller, D.M., Sommer, J. et al. Use of email,
and-post-basic-nurses on 27/11/19. cell phone and text message between patients and
[8]. Geraets A. How Hospitals are Using Smartphones to primary-care physicians: cross-sectional study in a
Raise HCAHPS Scores, 2019 retrieved from French-speaking part of Switzerland. BMC Health
https://www.psqh.com/analysis/how-hospitals-are- Serv Res 2016; 16, 549, doi:10.1186/s12913-016-
using-smartphones-to-raise-hcahps-scores/ on 1776-9.
29/11/19.
[9]. Attenborough J & Abbott, S. The impact of Nursing
and Midwifery Council (NMC) revalidation on the
professional identity of academic staff in a higher
education institution: A qualitative study. Nursing
Open, 2018; doi: 10.1002/nop2.224
[10]. Creative Research System, Sample size calculator,
2012; retrieved from
http://www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm
[11]. Norouzinia R ,Aghabarari M,Shiri M, Karimi M &
Samami E . Communication Barriers Perceived by
Nurses and Patients. Global Journal of Health
Science. 2016; Vol. 8, No. 6.
[12]. Ahmad, M. M., Musallam, R., & Allah, A. H. Nurses
and internet health-related information: review on
access and utility. Clujul medical (1957) 2018; 91(3),
266–273. doi:10.15386/cjmed-1024
[13]. Amoah VMK, Anokye R, Boakye DS & Gyamfi
N. Perceived barriers to effective therapeutic
communication among nurses and patients at Kumasi
South Hospital, Cogent Medicine,
2018; 5:1, DOI: 10.1080/2331205X.2018.1459341
[14]. Bello UL, Elshafie IF, Yunusa U, Ladan MA, Suberu
A, Abdullahi SG & Mba CJ. Utilization of
Information Communication Technology among
Undergraduate Nursing students in Tanta University,
Egypt. Int J Nur Care. 2017; 1(3):1-8.
[15]. Odiwuor CW, Onyuka JHO & Muhoho F et. al.,.
Utilization of InformationCommunication Technology
among Health care providers in Gatundu North
District of Kiambu County, Kenya. International
Journal of Applied Research 2015; 1(11): 1025-1029
[16]. Niemi A, Hupli M & Koivumen M. The use of
electronic communication for patient-professional
interaction-nursing staff’s point of view.
FinJeHeW8(4); 2016
[17]. Mutua, AN. The Challenges Facing Effective
Communication as a Public Relations Tool In
Academic Institutions. (A Case Study of University of
Nairobi – Department of Extra Mural Studies). 2014;
A Research Project Is Submitted In Partial Fufilment
of the Requirement For The Award Of Bachelor of
Science In Communication And Public Relations in
Moi University.
[18]. Lyngstad, M., Hofoss, D., Grimsmo, A., & Hellesø, R
Predictors for assessing electronic messaging between
nurses and general practitioners as a useful tool for
communication in home health care services: a cross-
sectional study. Journal of medical Internet
research, 2015; 17(2), e47. doi:10.2196/jmir.4056
[19]. Wagner JD, Bezuidenhout MC & Roos JH.
Communication satisfaction of professional nurses
working inpublic hospitals Journal of Nursing
Management 2015; 23,974–982.

IJISRT20JUN685 www.ijisrt.com 1104