Support model for nurses caring for people living with HIV and AIDS in the Limpopo province, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) caregiving has created a foundation for stress and burnout amongst nurses as they are burdened by the increased workload of HIV and AIDS care. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop a support model for nurses caring for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWH). METHOD: The study employed concept analysis and the identified concept of interest within the caring context of HIV and AIDS was conceptualised using six elements of practice-oriented theory, namely, the context, agent, recipient, dynamic, procedure and purpose. RESULTS: The framework consisted of six components: health service and legislative (context); nursing service managers (agents); nurses (recipients); decreasing power imbalance, participative and transformational leadership and trust (dynamics); initiation of support process through teamwork and mutual goal-setting, implementation and sustenance through reflections, monitoring and evaluation (process) and empowered nurses (outcome). CONCLUSION: Poor organisational support deteriorates the quality of nurses’ lives on a personal level and imposes a direct economic cost on the employer by decreasing overall nursing workforce productivity. The conceptual framework could be a guide to support nurses in healthcare services regarding the management of HIV and AIDS in the workplace.