M.Cur. (Professional Nursing) / The strike by student nurses at the Baragwanath Hospital has brought the reality of the trade union movement to the attention of the nursing profession in the Republic of South Africa. This has raised questions as to how informed nurses are in respect of the trade union movement and also how the trade union movement influences the professional ism of nurses as well as the personnel management function of the nursing service manager. An exploratory, descriptive study, within contextual framework was carried out. The purpose of the research was to determine the knowledge of registered nurses about the trade' union movement, as well as the influence thereof on the professionalism of the nurse on the one hand and on the other hand the influence thereof on the. personnel management function of the nursing service manager in selected private and pubt Lc hospitals in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The most important findings and conclusions resulting from this study are the lack of adequate knowledge amongst nurses concerning the trade union movement; the fact that the latter has a minor influence on the personnel management function of the nursing service manager and that the trade union movement has a deprofessionalising influence on the professionalism of the nurse. The most important recommendations include a program of resocialisation for the Subprofessional groups in nursing; in service training for all nurses concerning labour relationships and the trade union movement; elimination of matters causing dissatisfaction in the work situation of nurses; a much greater involvement of the South African Nursing Association in the affairs and the problems of the individual nurse as well as implementing purposeful professional discipline by the South African Nursing Council during strikes by nurses.