The work-related experiences of the registered nurses working in a correctional services healthcare facility in Gauteng
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016
Authors
Nkosi, Muntu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Correctional services nurses hold a unique position through serving the demands of two
departments, namely correctional services and health care. In addition, limited research has
been done on the experiences of registered nurses working in a unique environment like
correctional services. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted
through 21 semi-structured interviews to identify the work-related experiences of the
registered nurses working in a correctional services healthcare facility in Gauteng. This
was conducted in order to make recommendations for the improvement of the working
conditions of these registered nurses.
Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The following three themes were
identified on the positive experiences: These were the provision of education and in-service
training, positive team work and good working relationships among registered nurses and
improved access to healthcare services and upholding the rights of inmates. Under the
negative experiences these were the six themes that were identified: The impact of work
overload related to overcrowding, insufficient policies on the care rendered to inmates,
security being a priority over health, mismanagement of inmates due to incorrect medical
history and procedures, Insufficient medication, medical supplies, equipment and
infrastructure and lack of transportation to provide for the needs of the inmates. This shows
that the registered nurses had more negative than positive work-related experiences.
Recommendations for the improvement of the registered nurses’ working conditions were
made.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculity of Health Sciences of the University of the Witwatersrand in Fulfiment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in nursing
Johannesburg, 2016.