Abstract
M.Cur.
The occupational health nurse functions within a legal and ethical framework and is challenged by the working conditions in the steel industry that result in ill health and injuries to the employees. The managers’ focus is on financial gain rather than the employees’ health and safety, which frustrates the occupational health nurse.
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the challenges experienced by occupational health nurses working in the steel industry in the East Rand region of Gauteng, in order to describe the recommendations that will address these challenges. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was used. A purposeful sampling method was used. Data were collected by means of semi-structured individual interviews until data was saturated at the tenth participant. A video-tape recorder was used for accurate data collection. A qualitative coding method of data analysis was utilised.
Five themes and their related sub-themes emerged from the findings as follows:
1. role clarification challenge of occupational health nurses by managers, trade unions, and employees;
2. compensation claim challenge to occupational health nurses regarding the claims process and procedures.
3. occupational health nurse’s ethical and professional challenges,
4. referral challenges, such as fear of referral by occupational health nurses and outsourcing of specialists disregarding their competence; and
5. occupational health nurses’ dissatisfaction, fear, and frustration due lack of resources and workload with less pay.
A naturalistic paradigm consisting of credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability was utilised to ascertain trustworthiness. Ethical standards were ensured regarding the principles of respect of persons and beneficence and justice. .
Findings were conceptualised within relevant literature and recommendations were made to support the occupational health nurses regarding their challenges in the steel industry. Limitations and conclusions were made.