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Scientific paper presentation

Perception of nursing personnel regarding

significance, challenges and

prospects of TNAI

Introduction The Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) is the one and only national professional organization of nurses accredited by Government of India.

TNAI is placed in the history of nursing as it has taken steps to initiate university level education in nursing.It is the voice of nurses in India. TNAI –Goals

to uphold the dignity and honour of the nursing profession

to promote team spirit

to represent the problems/concerns

In the year 2012, 29411 professionals (16732 - GNM, 12679 – BSc (N)) were enrolled as registered nurses in Kerala Many of them are not enrolling as members in TNAI,eventhough, it is the national professional organisation of Nurses

Though enrolled, most of them are not active in the association

Background of the study

Need and significance of the study

Today nurses are underpaid,

Forced to work in unhealthy conditions and adverse environment,

No medical aid

The cost of living is increasing day by day

Neither the government nor the association is paving much effort to improve the status

Majority of the male as well as female nurses are leaving the Profession.

Statement of the problem

A study to identify the perception of nursing personnel regarding significance, prospects and challenges of TNAI in selected Hospitals, Schools and Colleges of Nursing, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta district.

1.To assess the participation of nursing personnel in TNAI

2.To identify the perception of nursing personnel regarding significance of TNAI

3.To assess the expectations of nursing personnel regarding TNAI

4.To identify the nurses’ awareness regarding challenges faced by TNAI

Objectives

1) Prospects and significance of TNAI is accurately perceived by nursing personnel.

2) TNAI faces various challenges in the field of Nursing.

Assumptions

TNAI: Trained Nurses Association of India is the only national professional organization of nurses in INDIA. Perception: In this study, perception refers to the way in which TNAI its significance, prospects and challenges is understood and interpreted by nursing personnel as measured by a structured questionnaire.

Operational definitions

Significance: Refers to the importance of TNAI among nursing personnel.

Prospects: Refers to the expectations of nursing personnel about TNAI.

Challenges: Means the problems faced by TNAI in carrying out its responsibilities.

Nursing personnel: Nursing personnel include registered nurses working in Hospitals, Schools and Colleges of Nursing.

Operational definitions Contd.

The TNAI established in the year 1908, had its beginnings as Association of Nursing Superintendents of India.

Composed of nine humble European nurses, employed mostly as administrators in the hospitals.

This small band of visionary women with pioneering spirit saw the need to develop nursing as a profession and also provided a forum where professional nurses could meet and plan to achieve their goals.

Review of Literature

Research approach: Quantitative non-experimental research approach

Research design: Descriptive survey

Setting: The study was conducted at twelve selected Hospitals, Schools and Colleges of Nursing of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta district.

Research Methodology

Population: Nursing personnel working in selected Hospitals, Schools and Colleges of Nursing.

Sample and sampling technique: Sample: 240 nursing personnel Hospital nurses: 108/240

Nurse educators: 132/240 Sampling technique: Purposive sampling Inclusion criteria: Nursing personnel who are willing to participate.

Tools and techniqueTool: Structured QuestionnaireSection I : Socio-personal data sheet

Section II: Assessment of the participation of nursing personnel in TNAI activities.(12 items)

Section III: Assessment of significance of TNAI among nursing personnel.(13 items)

Section IV: Identification of the challenges faced by TNAI. (6 items)

Section V: Assessment of the prospects/expectations of TNAI (8 items)

Pilot study was conducted among 25 nurses after getting administrative sanction.

Pilot study helped in modifying certain items in the tool and the study was found feasible.

Data was collected from 22-10-2013 to 24-10-2013

Pilot study

Data collection process

Analysis & interpretationSection 1 – Sample CharacteristicsTable 1Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their age

(n = 240)

Sample Characteristics f %

Age (in years) 21 – 30 141 58.831 – 40 36 15.041 – 50 43 17.951 – 60 20 8.3

Table 1 reveals that 58.8% of nursing personnel belonged to the age group 21 – 30 years.

Table 2

Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their qualification.

(n = 240)

Sample Characteristics f %

Qualification GNM 78 32.5BSc (N) 70 29.2MSc (N) 81 33.8M Phil 6 2.5Ph D 5 2.1

From table 2 it is evident that 33.8 % of the nursing personnel are having post graduate level education.

 Table 3Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their designation and employment agency.

(n = 240)

Sample Characteristics f %

Designation Nurse Educator 132 55.0Nursing Superintendent 7 2.9Head Nurse 12 5.0Staff Nurse 89 37.1

Employment Agency Government 107 44.6

Semi – government 32 13.3Private 101 42.1

Table 3 shows that 55 % of the nursing personnel were nurse educators and 44.6 % were from government sector.

Table 4Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their years of professional experience

(n = 240)

Sample Characteristics f %

Professional experience (in years) < 5 118 49.26 – 10 30 12.511 – 15 25 10.416 – 20 23 9.6> 20 44 18.3

Table 4 shows that 49.2 % of the study participants were having professional experience of 5 years or less.

Section 2 – This section deals with participation of nursing personnel in TNAI activities

Table 5Frequency distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their membership in TNAI

(n = 240)

Sample Characteristics f %

Nursing personnel having TNAI Membership 143 59.6

Nursing personnel not having TNAI Membership 97 40.4

 Table 5 shows that majority of nursing personnel (59.6 %) have membership in TNAI.

Table 6

Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on functional TNAI unit in their institutions

(n = 12)

Sample Characteristics f %

Institutions having TNAI unit 6 50 %

Institutions not having TNAI unit 6 50 %

Table 6 shows that 50 % of the institutions are having TNAI unit.

Table 7

Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their participation in TNAI

(n = 240)

Participation in TNAI f %

Participation in TNAI meeting 79 32.9

Subscription of The Nursing Journal of India 48 20.0

Access the web site of TNAI 25 10.4

Attendance in professional conference

of TNAI 81 33.8

Participation in workshop of TNAI 89 37.1

Delegation for participation in activities 102 42.5

From Table 7, it is evident that only 20% subscribe the Nursing Journal of India.

Section 3 – Perception regarding Significance of TNAI among Nursing personnel Table 8Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their perception regarding significance of TNAI (n = 240)

Significance of TNAI f %Strives to raise the standard of nursing education 145 60.4Establishes code of ethical conduct for practitioners 133 55.4Conducts research activities 145 60.4Conducts CNE programmes regularly 149 62.1Recommends legislation and speak for nurses 89 37.1Promotes feeling of belongingness among nurses 144 60.0Provides educational scholarship for its members 131 54.6Keep a continuous watch on the salaries and working- conditions of nurses and recommend for action 61 25.4Stands for nurses working in government sector 61 25.4Stands for nurses working in private sector 67 27.9Confers railway concession to its members 79 32.9Takes initiative in resolving issues related to nursing practice and education 80 33.3 Membership in TNAI is essential 176 73.3

Table 8 shows that only 33.3% agree that TNAI takes initiative in resolving issues related to nursing practice and education. Majority (73.3%) feel membership in TNAI is essential.

Section 4 – This section deals with the challenges faced by TNAI

Table 9Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their awareness regarding challenges faced by TNAI

(n = 240)

Challenges faced by TNAI f %

Lack of motivated and dedicated leaders 181 75.4

Lack of cooperation among TNAI members 188 78.3

Inadequate political support for the organization 190 79.2

Inadequate representation in the government 195 81.3

Emergence of new organizations among nurses 142 59.2

Lack of collective bargaining for the members 183 76.3

Table 9 depicts that inadequate representation `of TNAI in the government (81.3%) is the major challenge faced by TNAI. Also it lacks motivated & dedicated leaders(75.4%), there is inadequate political support(79.2%) & lack of collective bargaining(76.3%).

Section 5 – Prospects / Expectations from TNAI

Table 10Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their awareness regarding the Prospects / Expectations from TNAI (n = 240)

Prospects / Expectations from TNAI f %Create more public awareness 214 89.2Regulate the staffing pattern as per the prescribed norms 205 85.4Create more job opportunities for nurses in the country 192 80.0Influence the government to formulate policies 199 82.9Supports families of nurses who are victims of occupational injuries 193 80.4Recommend for implementing pension scheme for nurses working in private sector 193 80.4 opportunities & facilities for nurses with

198 82.5 More than 80% of the sample population are of the opinion that TNAI have better prospects & members expect more from the organisation.

Majority is not satisfied with the present level functioning of TNAI.

Are you satisfied with the functions of TNAI at unit level 128 53.3 at zonal level 125 52.1 at state level 113 47.1 at national level 117 48.8

Summary and discussion Findings

Majority(58.8%) of nursing personnel belong to the age group 21 – 30 years.

Majority of nursing personnel 94.2% were females.

Most( 33.8 %) of the nursing personnel are having post graduate level education.

Majority (55%)

of the nursing personnel were nurse educators and 37.1% were staff nurses.

Forty four percentage of the nursing personnel were from government sector

and 42.1% were from private sector. Most (49.2 %) of the study participants

were having professional experience of 5 years or less.

Majority of nursing personnel (59.6 %) have membership in TNAI. Fifty percent

of the institutions are having TNAI unit. Only 20% subscribe the Nursing

Journal of India.

Majority (73.3%) feel TNAI membership is essential as it is the only national professional organization, to have collective bargaining and unity among nurses.

Inadequate representation in the government (81.3%) is the major challenge faced by TNAI, followed by inadequate political support for the organization(79.2%).

Majority (89.3%) of the nursing personnel opined that creating more public awareness about nursing profession and the organization is the major prospect/expectation from TNAI. Majority is not satisfied with the present level functioning of TNAI.

Discussion

Majority(59%) of nursing personnel suggested that TNAI must strengthen its organizational pattern from base to top, should stand for the rights of its members, in pursuing more job opportunities and better payment deals, Create a sense of confidence to its members, Actively involve in solving the problems of nurses, Stand as a backbone for nurses. Improve the standards of nursing practice/ nursing education/ nursing research. A feeling should be generated by TNAI through its activities that it is there to safeguard the future of its members.

Limitations

The study was limited to twelve selected hospitals and nursing colleges.

Randomization was not done due to limited samples and time constraints.

Study was confined to particular geographic locations, which obviously imposes limits to generalization.

Implications Nursing practice

By identifying the significance, nurses can actively take part in TNAI activities in order to create a feeling of belongingness and to safeguard our profession, raise its standards and status and procure the best possible condition not only for ourselves, but also for our patients.

Similar studies can be replicated on a large scale. An indepth study can be conducted to find out how the nurses are appointed, salary fixation in Govt and private sector, other welfare facilities, how many are jobless and why they are leaving the profession.

A comparative study can be conducted to identify the significance, challenges and prospects of TNAI among nursing personnel in government and private sector.

Recommendations

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