[Function analysis of the job responsibilities of head nurses]

There are many internal and external factors impacting on the utilisation of the Chief Professional Nurse in South African State hospitals. The aim with this research is to undertake a functional analysis of the post responsibilities of the Chief Professional Nurse in South African State hospitals. This objective is justified by means of an exploratory, descriptive and qualitative research strategy. The existing job descriptions of the Chief Professional Nurse are explored and described, followed by an analysis of the expectations of various role-players (the Senior Nursing Service Manager, Chief Professional Nurse, Senior Registered Nurse, as well as the provincial policy makers in health care) regarding the post responsibilities of the Chief Professional Nurse. A content analysis of existing job descriptions is performed, followed by focus group interviews with the Nursing Service Managers and Chief Professional Nurses, work shops with the Senior Registered Nurses, and written inputs by the provincial policy makers in health care services. The results reveal misutilization of the Chief Professional Nurse in South African State hospitals. The expectations of the different role players focus on the traditional generic functions of the Chief Professional Nurse, viz. patient care, administration, education and research. New insights are added to ensure that the Chief Professional Nurse is utilised as a clinical nurse specialist.