ABSTRACT
Early ambulation in post-operative care is essential for reducing complications and promoting recovery. Nurses play a critical role in facilitating early mobilization; however, various factors may influence their attitudes and practices. This study aimed to evaluate nurses' approaches to early ambulation in post-operative care within the surgical units of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, identifying key factors that support or hinder implementation. This descriptive cross-sectional survey used a stratified sampling technique to select 111 nurses working in surgical units. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze demographic characteristics, attitudes, practices, and influencing factors related to early ambulation practices. The study revealed a predominantly young, female-dominated workforce with a highly positive attitude toward early ambulation: 84.9% of nurses demonstrated favorable views, and 82% actively engaged in early ambulation practices. A substantial 94.5% acknowledged early ambulation as essential for post-operative care, while 87.3% expressed strong confidence in assisting patients with ambulation. In terms of collaboration, 95.4% of nurses reported engaging regularly with interdisciplinary teams to encourage ambulation. However, key barriers, including staffing shortages (79.1%), heavy workloads (70.9%), and limited resources (62.7%), hindered consistent application. Significant relationships were found between age, gender, and educational qualifications with ambulation practices, although attitudes alone showed no substantial relationship with practice levels. While findings indicate a strong commitment among nurses to promote early ambulation, structural and motivational challenges prevent consistent application. Addressing these barriers is crucial to optimize patient outcomes in post-operative recovery. The study recommends enhancing training programs to sustain nurses’ motivation, ensuring adequate staffing and resources, and implementing standardized protocols for individualized care plans and systematic documentation.
Keywords: Nurse's approach, Early Ambulation, Post-Operative Care, Patient, Surgical Unit
