Experiences of professional nurses on the shortage of resources in a tertiary hospital in Tshwane district

Abstract

South Africa is experiencing shortage of resources in most health services, including tertiary hospitals. This leads to a situation where health care workers, especially professional nurses (PNs) leave to private nursing or go abroad for better work conditions. The aim of this study was to explore and describe experiences of PNs on the shortage of resources at a tertiary hospital in Tshwane District. The study followed a qualitative, explorative, descriptive design based on phenomenological interpretive approach. Purposive sample of 16 participants were recruited. Unstructured interviews with a grand tour question was used to conduct face-to-face individual interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. TheTesch’s method of analysis was utilised. Target group was PNs aged between 25 and 65 years who have worked for two or more years in selected units. Experiences of PNs on shortage of resources was reported as the major findings of this study.