Abstract
M.Cur. (Professional Nursing)
The strike by student nurses at the Baragwanath Hospital has
brought the reality of the trade union movement to the attention
of the nursing profession in the Republic of South Africa. This
has raised questions as to how informed nurses are in respect of
the trade union movement and also how the trade union movement
influences the professional ism of nurses as well as the personnel
management function of the nursing service manager.
An exploratory, descriptive study, within contextual framework was
carried out. The purpose of the research was to determine the
knowledge of registered nurses about the trade' union movement, as
well as the influence thereof on the professionalism of the nurse
on the one hand and on the other hand the influence thereof on the.
personnel management function of the nursing service manager in
selected private and pubt Lc hospitals in the Transvaal and the
Orange Free State.
The most important findings and conclusions resulting from this
study are the lack of adequate knowledge amongst nurses concerning
the trade union movement; the fact that the latter has a minor
influence on the personnel management function of the nursing
service manager and that the trade union movement has a deprofessionalising
influence on the professionalism of the nurse.
The most important recommendations include a program of resocialisation
for the Subprofessional groups in nursing; in service
training for all nurses concerning labour relationships and the
trade union movement; elimination of matters causing dissatisfaction
in the work situation of nurses; a much greater involvement
of the South African Nursing Association in the affairs and the
problems of the individual nurse as well as implementing purposeful
professional discipline by the South African Nursing Council during
strikes by nurses.