Challenges experienced by professional nurses at the rural primary health care facilities in Msukaligwa Sub-District of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Abstract

Professional nurses providing health care services in rural primary health care facilities need to have a broad range of skills, knowledge and stay current and up to date on different areas of healthcare. They work in an environment characterized by poor infrastructure, inadequate equipment, and medications, and yet they are expected to render quality nursing care in totality. Professional nurses in rural primary health care facilities need to be provided with enough equipment and medications for them to render quality nursing care to the patients. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the challenges experienced by professional nurses providing health care services to patients at the rural primary health care facilities in the Msukaligwa Sub-district of Mpumalanga Province. Qualitative approach with exploratory and descriptive designs were employed in this study. The study was conducted in the primary health care facilities in Msukaligwa sub-district of Mpumalanga province. The population was professional nurses allocated at the primary health care facilities in Msukakigwa sub-district of Mpumalanga province. The target population was professional nurses who had more than two years working experience in rural primary health care facilities. Non-probability purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to select the sample of the study. The sample size was 24 professional nurses. Data was collected using unstructured in-depth face to face interviews. Data were analysed using Tesch’ eight steps. Trustworthiness was ensured throughout by employing the principles of credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability. Ethical considerations were observed throughout the study. The study findings revealed several challenges experienced by professional nurses providing health care. Professional nurses in the Msukaligwa Sub-district are facing challenges related to shortage of manpower and resources and communication. Challenges impacted negatively on provision of patient care. Recommendations were made based on the research findings.