Knowledge and Attitude of Staff Nurses at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Towards Nursing Anaesthesia Programme
Study Summary
Assessing nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers and potential strategies for strengthening enrolment in nursing anaesthesia education in Nigeria.
Nursing anaesthesia is a specialized field of nursing practice that plays a vital role in the delivery of safe perioperative care. Despite increasing demand for nurse anaesthetists in Nigeria, enrolment into nursing anaesthesia programmes remains low. Understanding nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and perceived barriers to enrolment is important for developing strategies to strengthen the anaesthesia workforce.
To assess the knowledge and attitude of staff nurses towards the nursing anaesthesia programme and identify factors influencing enrolment at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 261 staff nurses. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, perceived barriers to enrolment and suggested strategies for improving enrolment. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Respondents demonstrated high awareness of the nursing anaesthesia programme, with 92.0% correctly identifying it as a nursing specialty. Overall, 88.1% of attitude-item responses reflected a positive attitude and willingness towards enrolment. Financial constraints (36.4%), lack of flexible entry pathways (24.5%), distance to training institutions (13.0%) and family-related responsibilities (11.1%) were leading barriers.
Staff nurses demonstrated high awareness and positive attitudes towards the nursing anaesthesia programme; however, enrolment remains constrained by financial, institutional and accessibility barriers. Strengthening financial support, training opportunities, awareness and supportive institutional policies may improve enrolment and contribute to addressing the shortage of nurse anaesthetists in Nigeria.
Study Profile
The study examined registered nurses working in clinical areas at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
Total Google Forms responses received during the four-week data-collection period.
Complete, non-duplicated responses retained for analysis.
Proportion of submitted questionnaires retained for the final analysis.
Incomplete or duplicate submissions excluded from the analysis.
Awareness of Nursing Anaesthesia
The findings demonstrate generally high awareness of nursing anaesthesia, although some misconceptions about the professional role of nurse anaesthetists remained.
240 respondents correctly identified anaesthesia as a specialty in nursing.
230 respondents knew of the existence of nursing anaesthesia courses.
235 respondents were aware of the post-basic nursing anaesthesia programme.
203 respondents correctly identified a nurse anaesthetist as a nurse specially trained to administer anaesthesia.
Of 1,305 responses across the five knowledge items, 924 represented accurate knowledge.
381 responses across the knowledge items were classified as inaccurate.
16 respondents incorrectly described a nurse anaesthetist as a nurse who assists a physician anaesthetist.
Strong Interest in Nursing Anaesthesia
Respondents generally perceived nursing anaesthesia as a valuable pathway for specialization, professional advancement and improved career opportunities.
Of 1,566 responses across the attitude items, 1,380 reflected a positive attitude towards enrolment in the nursing anaesthesia programme, compared with 11.9% classified as negative.
95.4% said Yes
249 respondents believed nursing anaesthesia could provide another opportunity for specialization.
84.0% said Yes
219 respondents believed nursing anaesthesia could enhance job satisfaction.
98.8% agreed
79.3% strongly agreed and 19.5% agreed that nursing anaesthesia provides opportunities for professional advancement.
90.4% agreed
Respondents generally perceived the programme as promoting independent and collaborative practice.
88.1% agreed
50.6% strongly agreed and 37.5% agreed that specialization could improve salary and allowances.
Mean 3.34
The overall grand mean reflected a highly positive perception of programme opportunities and benefits.
Why Are There Fewer Nurse Anaesthetists?
The study also examined respondents’ perceptions of why nurse anaesthetist numbers remain low.
Preference for Locally Available Programmes
143 respondents identified preference for locally available programmes as the leading perceived reason for the low number of nurse anaesthetists. Other reported reasons included limited understanding of nurse anaesthetists’ roles (18.0%), misinformation about the programme (14.6%) and lack of interest (12.6%).
Factors Associated With Awareness & Willingness
Chi-square analysis examined relationships between age and awareness, and between gender and willingness towards the nursing anaesthesia programme.
Age & Awareness
χ² = 30.12 · df = 9 · p < 0.05
A statistically significant relationship was observed between respondents’ age and awareness of the nursing anaesthesia programme.
Gender & Willingness
χ² = 6.82 · df = 6 · p > 0.05
No statistically significant relationship was found between gender and willingness towards enrolment in the nursing anaesthesia programme.
Turning Positive Attitudes Into Enrolment
Respondents strongly supported a range of institutional, educational and financial strategies to strengthen participation in nursing anaesthesia education.
Expand Training Schools
Increase the number and geographical distribution of post-basic nursing anaesthesia training institutions.
Incentives & Sponsorship
Provide scholarships, study leave, sponsorship and other forms of financial support.
Master’s Degree Pathway
Consider upgrading the programme to master’s degree level to strengthen recognition and career progression.
Mentorship
Strengthen mentorship of junior nurses concerning nursing anaesthesia education and career opportunities.
Clinical Exposure
Posting and rotation through anaesthesia departments may increase familiarity and interest in the specialty.
In-Service Education
Include nursing anaesthesia within continuing and in-service professional education programmes.
Strategies that expand training opportunities, strengthen financial support and mentorship, improve awareness and create supportive institutional policies may contribute to a stronger nurse anaesthesia workforce in Nigeria.
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Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
The study assessed registered nurses working in clinical units of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
261 Analysed From 296 Responses
296 responses were received. Following screening, 261 complete and non-duplicated questionnaires were analysed and 35 were excluded.
Electronic Recruitment
Following changes to the originally proposed sampling approach, the questionnaire was distributed electronically through Google Forms, including nursing WhatsApp and Telegram groups.
University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant Health Research Ethics Committee at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Electronic informed consent was obtained from participants.
Oyelude · Zi · Ojo
Racheal O. Oyelude:
Conceptualisation, data collection, manuscript drafting
and editing.
Chuwang B. Zi:
Supervision, review and editing.
Phillip A. Ojo:
Review and editing.
Conflict of Interest & Funding
Conflict of Interest:
No conflict of interest.
Funding:
No external funding received.
Editorial Timeline
CC BY 4.0
This article is published under the Creative Commons
Attribution 4.0 International licence.
DOI: 10.64573/torgj2602002
Volume 2 · Issue 3 · September 2026
The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ).
ISSN 3105-3262.
Original Research.
DOI: 10.64573/torgj2602002.
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