title: Non-nursing tasks, nursing tasks left undone and job satisfaction among professional nurses in South African hospitals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between non-nursing tasks (NNTs), nursing tasks left undone (NTLU) and job satisfaction among professional nurses (PNs) in South Africa (SA).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study adds to the international debate about the relationship between non-nursing tasks, nursing tasks left undone and job satisfaction by studying the variables at individual nurse and hospital unit level.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey design of 1166 PNs in 60 medical and surgical units in 55 private hospitals and seven public hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nationally, the three main non-nursing tasks performed were clerical duties (M = 1.81), arranging discharge referrals and transport (M = 1.38) and performing non-nursing care (M = 1.31), while the main nursing tasks left undone were comfort/talk with patients (62.2%), educating patients and family (57.9%) and develop/update nursing care plans/pathways (51.6%). Nursing tasks left undone were only related to three non-nursing tasks, and job satisfaction correlated most highly with nursing tasks left undone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Professional nurses conduct many non-nursing tasks, and leave several important nursing tasks left undone. Nursing tasks left undone cause the greatest degree of job dissatisfaction amongst professional nurses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Role overlapping and work performed by professional nurses below their skill level should be identified and re-organised; support services should be employed and efficiently used.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Science, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bekker
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Science, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Siedine K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Coetzee
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Science, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Hester C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Klopper
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consultation Services, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Suria M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004282:Documentation; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D013019:South Africa; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: South Africa; job satisfaction; non-nursing task; nursing tasks left undone; professional nurse