Challenges experienced by professional nurses caring for patients diagnosed with AIDS-related illnesses at the hospital, Tshwane district, Gauteng province, South Africa

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) related illnesses, Tshwane district in Gauteng province, South Africa. This study employed qualitative, descriptive, explorative and contextual designs. The study included all professional nurses allocated in the units where patients diagnosed with AIDS related illnesses are cared. The researcher Data were collected after obtaining the ethical clearance from Tshwane University's Health and Safety Research Ethics committee. Informed consent from the participants was obtained without coercion. In-depth individual interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed by means of using Tesch's open coding method. The findings of this study revealed that professional nurses experience physical and psychological challenges whilst caring for patients diagnosed with AIDS related illnesses. The research findings also revealed the causal-effect relationship between the challenges identified. The Department of health was seen to be reluctant to respond the professional nurses challenges, hence stress and burnout. The challenges had a negative impact on the professional nurses' performance physically and psychologically. The researcher therefore recommended that research on challenges experienced by professional nurses be conducted in all the provinces of South Africa in order to influence the DOH to address them.