Nurses, industrial action and ethics

Abstract

Several important ethical dilemmas emerge when nurses join a public-sector strike. Such industrial action is commonplace in South Africa and was most notably illustrated by a national wage negotiation in 2010. Media coverage of the proceedings suggested unethical behaviour on the part of nurses, and further exploration is merited. Laws, policies and provisional codes are meant to guide nurses' behaviour during industrial action, while ethical theories can be used to further illuminate the role of nurses in industrial action. There are, however, important aspects to consider before judging whether nurses act unethically when striking. Following Loewy's suggestion that the nature of the work, the proceeding commitment of the nurse to the patient, the prevailing situation when the strike is planned and the person(s) who stand(s) to benefit from the strike be considered, coupled with a consideration of the South African historical socio-political context, important aspects of the ethics of nurses' behaviour in industrial action transpire.

‘Practice what you preach’: Nurses’ perspectives on the Code of Ethics and Service Pledge in five South African hospitals

“…Notwithstanding the importance of ethics and value systems in nursing, the Code of Ethics and Nurses’ Pledge are not without controversy, particularly in the context of industrial action by nurses to achieve enhanced status for the profession, improved career paths, increased salaries, and better quality of care for patients ( 12 – 16 ). Nonetheless, there are several studies that have focused on Codes of Ethics for nurses in different country contexts ( 14 , 17 – 23 ), ethical dilemmas faced by nurses in the workplace ( 5 , 24 – 28 ), and the ethical issues involved in industrial action by nurses ( 12 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 29 , 30 ). Those studies that have focused on Codes of Ethics have found that there is widespread support among nurses as these Codes serve as a guide to ethical decision-making and behaviour ( 14 , 17 – 22 ).…”

“…In South Africa, a number of studies have focused on the tensions between nurses’ ethical values or conduct and industrial action ( 12 , 29 , 30 ), or ethical values and termination of pregnancy ( 28 ). In light of the renewed focus of the South African government on the nursing profession and the call for the implementation of ‘a comprehensive programme to restore ethics and respect in nursing’ ( 11 ), the aim of this study was to explore nurses’ perspectives on the ICN Code of Ethics and the SANC Nurses’ Pledge in a convenience sample of hospitals in Gauteng and Free State Provinces of South Africa.…”

Evaluation of climate change on the collapse potential of unsaturated cement-treated laterite soil for disaster risk reduction

“…Before the soil specimens are taken to the laboratory to be dried for 3 days' oven-dried and 3 days' 60°C oven-dried, all the topsoil and humus are removed. The low oven-dried temperature is to prevent temperature influences on the properties of the soil [9][10][11]. Meanwhile, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is employed as a stabiliser for soil strength enhancement to stabilise the laterite soil.…”

The role of community health workers in non-communicable diseases in Cape Town, South Africa: descriptive exploratory qualitative study

“…Prior to the end of Apartheid, many NGOs had employed CHWs to offer PHC to communities without sufficient formal health services [8]. After 1994, the new government was keen to introduce accessible formal PHC services and many of these NGO-led CHW projects collapsed.…”