Senior Lecturer
Dr.Nickcy Mbuthia
Wasifu wa kitaalamu
Dr. Nickcy Mbuthia is a Senior Lecturer and Chair of the Department of Nursing Sciences at the Open University of Kenya, specialising in Critical Care Nursing and Medical-Surgical Nursing. Her teaching expertise spans critical care nursing, medical-surgical nursing, patient safety, clinical assessment, nursing research and health professional education. Her research interests focus on early recognition of patient deterioration, early warning scores, clinical decision-making, patient safety, digital health and technology-enhanced nursing education. She is particularly interested in strengthening nurses' clinical competencies and improving patient outcomes through evidence-informed practice.
At OUK, she leads the development and implementation of flexible online nursing and health programmes, digital learning resources, clinical education models and professional development courses. Her current academic interests include AI-supported learning, digital health competencies, micro-credentials and innovative approaches to postgraduate nursing education. She also contributes to research mentorship, institutional capacity strengthening and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare quality and access to professional education.
Research Interests
- Patient safety and quality of healthcare: Early recognition and management of clinical deterioration, early warning scores (NEWS2, MEWS and PEWS), rapid response systems, failure-to-rescue and clinical escalation.
- Digital nursing education: Online and blended learning, digital readiness of healthcare professionals, competency-based education, learner engagement and assessment in virtual learning environments.
- Artificial intelligence in nursing education and practice: AI-supported clinical reasoning, responsible use of generative AI, digital learning resources and technology-enhanced assessment.
- Digital health and healthcare innovation: Nursing informatics, telehealth, remote patient monitoring and digital health competencies.
- Health professions education: Curriculum development, clinical education, simulation, professional development and stackable micro-credentials.
Ongoing Research and Academic Projects
Recognition of Patient Deterioration — Training project in Kilifi county focusing on nurses' recognition of clinical deterioration, use of early warning scores, clinical escalation practices and patient safety within Kenyan healthcare settings.
Matriksi ya kitaaluma
Sifa
- Doctor of Literature and Philosophy (DLitt et Phil), Health Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA) (2018)
- Master of Arts, Health Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA) (2009)
- Honours Bachelor of Arts, Health Studies – Critical Care, University of South Africa (UNISA) (2008)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Nairobi (2001)
Utaalamu mkuu
- Patient safety and quality of healthcare
- Digital nursing education
- Artificial intelligence in nursing education and practice
- Digital health and healthcare innovation
- Health professions education
Machapisho teule yaliyokaguliwa na rika
- Mbua, D. M., Mbuthia, N., & Musau, J. K. (2026). The practice of assessing intensive care unit acquired weakness by nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. International Academic Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, 2(2), 106–128.
- Kerilemang, R. K., Mbuthia, N., & Mukonene, J. (2026). Determinants of adherence to dietary prescriptions among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis in Francistown, Botswana. Journal of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health, 6(4), 53–71.
- Apunda, R. A., Mbuthia, N., & Barako, T. (2026). Point prevalence of pediatric intensive care unit delirium and associated risk factors at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi City County, Kenya. Journal of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health, 6(1), 1–11.
- Kooitse, F. N., Onsongo, L., & Mbuthia, N. (2025). Lived experiences of patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis at Scottish Livingstone Hospital, Kweneng District, Botswana. Journal of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health, 5(4), 17–30.
- Ishmael, A. A., Manyenze, V., Mumbi, M., Nkirigacha, M., & Mbuthia, N. (2025). Diabetes knowledge and associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes attending Kitui County Referral and Teaching Hospital, Kenya. East African Medical Journal, 102(5).
- Chea, S. K., Mwadulo, D., Kioko, K., Kiriba, L., Mulala, M., Kyalo, I., Shitoyi, E., Mutunga, M., Juma, M., & Mbuthia, N. (2025). Needs assessment for master of nursing program among Kenyan nurses. PLoS One, 20(5), e0322813.
- Otieno, B. O., Kyalo, I. W., Mutie, C., Darwinkel, M., Waswa, R., Mjidho, M., Mbuthia, N., Kok, M. O., & Abdullahi, O. (2024). Patterns and correlates of health services utilization in a rural setting: findings from a community-based study in Coastal Kenya. African Journal of Health Sciences, 37(2).
- Chege, J. W., Mbuthia, N., & Gachuiri, G. (2024). Integration of critical care nurses in antimicrobial stewardship; opportunities and barriers at a county referral hospital in Kenya. International Academic Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, 2(1), 486–504.
- Mbuthia, N., Kagwanja, N., Ngari, M., & Boga, M. (2024). General ward nurses' detection and response to clinical deterioration in three hospitals at the Kenyan coast: a convergent parallel mixed methods study. BMC Nursing, 23(1), 143.
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