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Nursing care in South Africa is under severe criticism. Various studies reported on poor nursing care (Carlson, Kotze & van Rooyen 2005:71: Mackenzie 2010:158). The South African Nursing Council’s statistics implicate poor basic nursing care delivery as the major reason in professional misconduct cases (Strategic plan for Nursing Education, Training and Practice 2012/13 – 2016/17 2012:23). Furthermore the shortage of nurses in South Africa clearly affects the quality of care values (Mohsen, Eesa, Abbas & Masoud 2013:2). High turnover of nurses in the supply and demand market makes it difficult to realise staffing goals through the national training programmes.
This presentation reports on a project undertaken by one of the Private Healthcare groups in South Africa with international partnerships. The focus of nursing care in this hospital group is strongly on quality with various initiatives that are implemented to improve the quality of nursing care. In an attempt to address the problems related to the nurses’ shortage and the nursing care, the hospital recruited Indian nurses to work in the hospitals in South Africa.
The demonstration of excellent care by these foreign nurses in South Africa is evident in the feedback that the hospital group receives from patients and staff (Life Healthcare 2014). The need to explore the best practices related to the care rendered by the foreign nurses was identified.
Methods:
The first phase of the sequential mixed methods study included an exploration of the sources of motivation for the caring culture amongst these foreign nurses. Focus group interviews were conducted by an independent researcher to ensure free communication and prevent bias or coercion.
Results:
The findings revealed that respect for human dignity, willingness to serve humankind and the balance between the rights and responsibilities of the nurses are the main themes related to the care rendered. These three themes can however not be separated as the matter of ‘rights versus responsibilities’ have a direct impact on the respect for human dignity as well as a willingness to serve humankind. The participants agreed that their own needs should be weighed very carefully against the needs of the patients. For these participants the needs of the patients in terms of nursing care should always be the priority. However, legislation related to labour relations is often used as a reason for not attending to a patient, thus affecting the quality of care. From the findings it was clear that the local nurses place a strong emphasis on their rights to tea and lunch breaks, often to the detriment of the patients and quality care.
Conclusion:
Providing a conducive work environment is a major responsibility of any Healthcare institution. It is therefore recommended that careful attention is given to planning of daily tasks in hospital wards, ensuring that there is a staggered approach to tea and lunch breaks. Facilities for the use of nurses should not only be available for short periods but should allow for flexible breaks. Furthermore the team approach to nursing care should ensure that each nurse has a team member that will take responsibility for patients allocated to her/him during breaks. Although it is recognised that nurses have the right to be protected by labour legislation, it should never weigh more than their responsibilities towards patients and quality care.
Respecting patients in need of care, is of utmost importance. The culture in nursing should adapt a patient first approach. The vulnerability of patients thus affords them the right to care above the rights of nurses as employees