University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Supervision and delegation are critical components in nursing practice, significantly impacting the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery, particularly in low-resource settings such as Africa. The World Health Organization advocates for clear policies and structured delegation protocols to improve healthcare delivery, especially in resource-limited settings, and to prevent the overburdening of nurses.
Methods: This review adhered
to the guidelines outlined by Askey and O’Malley. Searches were conducted
across PubMed, JSTOR, Scopus, Dimensions AI, and Web of Science databases.
Additional searches were performed using Google Scholar and university
repository. Both peer-reviewed and grey literature were included in the review.
A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review, highlighting
both practices and challenges in nursing supervision and delegation across
Africa. Effective supervision practices included comprehensive orientation,
continuous training, and robust monitoring with feedback. Key components were
communication, teamwork, and supportive environments. Challenges identified
encompassed inadequate supervisory skills, time-consuming administrative tasks,
and resource constraints such as shortages of medical supplies and human
resources. Delegation challenges were primarily related to staffing shortages
and skill gaps, with issues of role overextension and unclear responsibilities
also noted. Addressing the practices and challenges of supervision and
delegation in nursing is vital for enhancing healthcare delivery in
resource-limited settings, particularly in Africa. Implementing targeted,
evidence-based interventions and developing clear, structured policies will mitigate
these challenges and enhance overall nursing effectiveness. Collaborative
efforts and strategic improvements in training and support systems are crucial
for addressing these issues and ensuring high-quality patient care
Amidu Alhassan is a Master of
Nursing student at University of Cape Coast (UCC) and currently a fellow
researcher at the Medical Research Circle. He has served as a peer reviewer for
reputable journals such as SAGE and has published over 10 articles in respected
academic publications.