Perceptions on the impact of nurses' strikes on nurses, the nursing profession and on quality of health care in KwaZulu-Natal Province
The aim of this study was to pursue an exploratory, descriptive case study to investigate perceptions on the impact of nurses' strikes on nurses, the nursing profession and on the quality of health care. Other aspects of the strike phenomenon that were investigated included the issues of job satisfaction, causes of the strikes, activities and feelings in relation to the strikes and suggestions for the future in regard to nurses' strikes. A purposive sample was selected from a population consisting of nurses, nursing management, officials of the Provincial Health Department, chairpersons of two nursing representative organisations and community members as consumers of health care. For the purpose of the investigation semi-structured interviews were utilised. The study revealed that perceptions on nurses* strikes were not typical of any particular group. Similarities and differences were noted within and between groups. It was found that job dissatisfaction remains prevalent among nurses in spite of acknowledged attempts at addressing job dissatisfiers. Negative feelings and views about nurses' strikes persist, mainly because of the adverse impact on consumers of health care. It was evident that management and employers face greater challenges in prevention of strikes. Increased awareness of employee rights have led to legislation through labour laws, for example the Labour Relations Act (66 of 1995) as amended. Based on the perceptions and suggestions of the participants, a model entitled The Integrative-Developmental-Adaptive (IDA) Strike Model was constructed. It emphasises the need for coordinated training and development programmes to facilitate an integrative approach and continuous adaptation by all health-care stakeholders to the various factors that precipitate or trigger strike action. This model is applicable before, during and after strikes.
Nurses--Kwa-zulu natal, Strikes and lockouts--Kwa-zulu natal, Nursing--Kwa-zulu natal
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