Job satisfaction : a study of health professionals at Mafikeng Provincial Hospital

Abstract

From day's ceremonial, the nursing profession, was held in high esteem and was the most cherished health career amongst the black community. The profession popularised by Florence Nightingale, alias, "The lady with the lamp," highly emphasised absolute virtues, such as selflessness, dedication and hard work, to mention just a few. Some individuals like the late Sister Lekgetha and Cecilia Makiwana later became epitome of the health profession and were marvelled by the community at large. The paradigm has shifted somewhat, unfortunately, with today's nurses capable of leaving their death-bed-ridden patients in hospital wards, to take to the streets in demand of salary increases. Their hostile attitudes are perceived in community circles as irresponsible and uncaring, culminating in poor health service deliveries at health centres. Nurses, on the other hand, cite a number of issues that have rendered the health profession a disaster, in which it find itself. These range from the working conditions to the job description as rolled out by the supervisor and the Department. It is for this reason that a study at the Mafikeng Provincial Hospital was prompted, to try and reach the bottom of the truth.