The University College Hospital Clinical Nursing Department started from Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan in 1948 when the hospital was an appendage of the University of London. The physical development of the hospital commenced in 1953 in its present site and was formally commissioned after completion in November 20th, 1957. The Hospital admitted its first set of patients in April 1957.
Clinical Nursing is a term which describes the functions and responsibilities of a nurse engaged in providing direct services to people as opposed to the nurse whose functions and responsibilities relate to administration, education or research.
The origin of the word “Clinical” derived from a word called “clinicus”, (meaning, bedridden person) has become more broadly defined as having to do with observation and treatment of disease(s) in patient. The designation of patients also originates from a latin term meaning “to suffer”.
The nurse clinician therefore provides services designed to prevent or alleviate suffering in person(s) having potential or actual disease(s); whether or not the disease is the cause of suffering. Clinical Nursing is about the nursing of persons whose problems are associated with pathophysiology.
MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT:
The Mission of the Clinical Nursing Department is to provide quality, prompt, effective, efficient and acceptable care for all the clients coming into UCH - a therapeutic environment that promotes healing, hope and dignity, unconditionally, irrespective of their creed, status or religion. The Department also reaches out to clients, students and carries out researches relevant to nursing care.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT
- To provide the highest possible quality Nursing Care which is professionally planned and directed, individualized and given without discrimination
- To appraise all factors contributing to the nursing care of patients.
- To be actively involved in making appropriate application of ideals in practice of nursing relative to new and changing concepts in patient care.
- To promote satisfactory communication and productive working relationship with other health workers both within the hospital and in the community
- To uphold and promote all hospital policies and practices as much as possible
- To support and contribute to teaching programmes for students of Nursing, Medicine, allied profession and others
- To participate in and support activities of education and investigation conducted in the hospital which involve nursing service activities
- To promote studies and research in nursing practices, reporting and utilizing findings as appropriate and to effect maximum utilization of personnel
- To promote the welfare of nursing staff through provision of reasonable institutional policies so that each employee may reach his potential to give high quality patient care
- To provide atmosphere conducive to participation in activities of professional association
