Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of nursing auxiliaries towards health care services against their scope of practice. Nursing auxiliaries practicing within the Elim, Letaba, Malamulele, Nkhensani, Shiluvana and Tintswalo hospitals in the Gazankulu Health Administration, in the Northern Transvaal Province, constituted the target population. The findings revealed that nursing auxiliaries are not functioning strictly according to their scope of practice. They are an essential component of nursing services in Gazankulu by rendering a major contribution towards health care services in fulfilling their scope of practice-role. Apart from their prescribed practice-role, they are also engaged in activities that should be performed by enrolled and professional nurses as well as doctors and general assistants. There appears to be a need for education for all categories of nursing staff regarding the scope of practice of nursing auxiliaries for improving the effective utilisation of this category of nursing personnel. Key terms: enrolled nursing auxiliary; Gazankulu area; health assistant; nurse aid; nursing assistant; nursing duties; orderly; role; scope of practice; selected health care administration; ward attendant.
