Abstract
M.Cur. (Professional Nursing)
The shortage of professional nurses necessitates the optimal utilisation of the professional nurses and auxiliary staff available to unit managers in academic nursing units. The optimal utilisation of human resources, funds, stock and methods constitutes effective management. The unit manager is responsible for the achievement of objectives means of effective management enabling the optimal utilisation and productive functioning of her staff in the provision of quality nursing.
Retaining auxiliary staff is often as difficult as retraining nurses and they will not be attracted to hospital work if there is no clear occupational structure. This study questions the expectations (knowledge and insight) of uni t managers as well as ward clerks regarding the duties and responsibilities of the ward clerk in an academic hospital nursing unit in Johannesburg. The value of a structured educational
programme for ward clerks in order to improve their capabilities profile (knowledge and insight) was also examined. The objectives with this study were: to determine the expectations (insight and knowledge) of unit managers as well as ward clerks
regarding the duties and responsibilities of the ward clerk (in an academic hospital nursing unit): to design, implement and evaluate an educational programme for ward clerks: and to determine the effect of that programme on the capabilities profile (knowledge and insight) of the ward clerk.