4. 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
5. Background of the study
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
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Objectives
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
9. Assumptions
1) Prospects and significance of TNAI is
accurately
perceived
by
nursing
personnel.
2) TNAI faces various challenges in the
field of Nursing.
10. Operational definitions
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.
11. 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.
12. Review of Literature
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.
13. Research Methodology
Research approach: Quantitative
experimental research approach
non-
Research design: Descriptive survey
Setting: The study was conducted at twelve
selected Hospitals, Schools and Colleges of
Nursing of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta
district.
14.
15. 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.
16. Tools and technique
Tool: Structured Questionnaire
Section 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)
17. Pilot study
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
Data collection process
18. Analysis & interpretation
Section 1 – Sample Characteristics
Table 1
Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing
personnel based on their age
(n = 240)
Sample Characteristics
Age (in years)
21 – 30
31 – 40
41 – 50
51 – 60
f
%
141
36
43
20
58.8
15.0
17.9
8.3
Table 1 reveals that 58.8% of nursing personnel belonged to the age
group 21 – 30 years.
19. Table 2
Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their
qualification.
(n = 240)
Sample Characteristics
f
%
Qualification
78
70
81
6
5
32.5
29.2
33.8
2.5
2.1
GNM
BSc (N)
MSc (N)
M Phil
Ph D
From table 2 it is evident that 33.8 % of the nursing personnel are having post
graduate level education.
20. Table 3
Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their
designation and employment agency.
(n = 240)
Sample Characteristics
f
%
Designation
Nurse Educator
Nursing Superintendent
Head Nurse
Staff Nurse
132
7
12
89
55.0
2.9
5.0
37.1
Employment Agency
Government
Semi – government
Private
107
32
101
44.6
13.3
42.1
Table 3 shows that 55 % of the nursing personnel were nurse educators and
44.6 % were from government sector.
21. Table 4
Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on
their years of professional experience
(n = 240)
Sample Characteristics
Professional experience (in years)
f
< 5
6 – 10
11 – 15
16 – 20
> 20
%
118
30
25
23
44
49.2
12.5
10.4
9.6
18.3
Table 4 shows that 49.2 % of the study participants were having
professional experience of 5 years or less.
22. Section 2 – This section deals with participation of nursing personnel in TNAI
activities
Table 5
Frequency 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.
23. 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.
24. 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
of TNAI
81
33.8
Participation in workshop of TNAI
89
37.1
Delegation for participation in activities
102
42.5
Attendance in professional conference
From Table 7, it is evident that only 20% subscribe the Nursing Journal of
India.
25. Section 3 – Perception regarding Significance of TNAI among Nursing personnel
Table 8
Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their
perception regarding significance of TNAI
(n = 240)
Significance of TNAI
Strives to raise the standard of nursing education
Establishes code of ethical conduct for practitioners
Conducts research activities
Conducts CNE programmes regularly
Recommends legislation and speak for nurses
Promotes feeling of belongingness among nurses
Provides educational scholarship for its members
Keep a continuous watch on the salaries and workingconditions of nurses and recommend for action
Stands for nurses working in government sector
Stands for nurses working in private sector
Confers railway concession to its members
Takes initiative in resolving issues related to
nursing practice and education
Membership in TNAI is essential
f
%
145
133
145
149
89
144
131
60.4
55.4
60.4
62.1
37.1
60.0
54.6
61
61
67
79
25.4
25.4
27.9
32.9
80
176
33.3
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.
26. Section 4 – This section deals with the challenges faced by TNAI
Table 9
Frequency 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%).
27. Section 5 – Prospects / Expectations from TNAI
Table 10
Frequency Distribution and percentage of nursing personnel based on their
awareness regarding the Prospects / Expectations from TNAI
(n = 240)
Prospects / Expectations from TNAI
Create more public awareness
Regulate the staffing pattern as per the prescribed norms
Create more job opportunities for nurses in the country
Influence the government to formulate policies
Supports families of nurses who are
victims of occupational injuries
Recommend for implementing pension scheme
for nurses working in private sector
opportunities & facilities for nurses with
f
214
205
192
199
%
89.2
85.4
80.0
82.9
193
80.4
193
198
80.4
82.5
More than 80% of the sample population are of the opinion that TNAI have better
prospects & members expect more from the organisation.
28. Are you satisfied with the functions of TNAI
at unit level
at zonal level
at state level
at national level
128
125
113
117
53.3
52.1
47.1
48.8
Majority is not satisfied with the present
level functioning of TNAI.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. 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.
33. 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.
34. Recommendations
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.
