South African nurses' opinions of different organizations: policy implications

There has been considerable debate in South Africa as to what type of organization would best represent the interests of nurses and facilitate their contribution to the achievement of changes in health care. This paper reports their background to and findings of the opinions of nurses in South Africa of different organizations, namely a professional nursing association, a health worker organization and a trade union. The results of the survey show that the South African Nursing Association has performed reasonably in meeting nurses' professional needs, but poorly in meeting their socio-economic needs. There is dissatisfaction with some of the Association's policies, widespread ignorance about trade unions and health worker organizations and resistance to strike action. The policy implications of the findings for the future organization of nurses in South Africa are explored.