People living with HIV (PLWH) face various workrelated
problems, such as stigma and physical difficulties.
Health care professionals can help improve
the employment situation of PLWH. Nurses who
work in HIV care play a central role in the care of
PLWH in the Netherlands. The aim of this crosssectional
study was to investigate the contributions
of nurses to the vocational counseling of PLWH,
and to make an inventory of needs for future care.
Our findings, collected with a self-administered survey,
clarified that HIV nurses in the Netherlands regularly
faced patients with problems at work, but that
they didn’t have the required knowledge to provide
assistance. Our study emphasized the important role
of HIV nurses in vocational counseling because of
their central positions in care and their confidential
relationship with patients. The study underlined the
importance of available, up-to-date knowledge about
HIV and work, as well as a clear referral network. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jana.2015.03.001