ABSTRACT
This study investigated nurses' perception of nursing care quality in a tertiary healthcare institution in Benin City, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, the study sampled 151 nurses from the Medical and Surgical units of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital through convenience sampling. Data collection was conducted using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that 70% of nurses held positive perceptions of care quality, particularly regarding patient safety protocols, rights protection, and medication administration. However, challenges identified included inadequate support services, insufficient time for staff discussions, limited patient privacy protection, and poor staff-patient ratios. Factors enhancing care quality included professional development opportunities and new staff training programs, while barriers comprised unmanageable workload, insufficient equipment, poor infrastructure, inadequate remuneration, and understaffing. The study found significant differences in quality perception based on years of practice, though gender showed no significant influence. To improve nursing care quality, the study recommends providing adequate facilities and equipment, increasing nurse staffing, enhancing staff welfare, promoting continuous professional development, encouraging research engagement, and developing effective healthcare teams. The findings emphasize that optimal nursing care requires attention to both human and material resources, necessitating comprehensive policy implementation at all government levels. Keywords: patient safety, quality of nursing care, healthcare perception, professional development, healthcare workforce
