Browsing by Author "Washeya, Frieda Ndeshihafela"
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- ItemFactors influencing retention of professional nurses in a public health care facility in Windhoek, Namibia(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Washeya, Frieda Ndeshihafela; Furst, Laetitia; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Nursing & Midwifery.ENGLISH SUMMARY: Retention of professional nurses in public healthcare facilities is essential for maintaining quality nursing care. Effective retention strategies enhance nurses’ job satisfaction, promote professionalism, decrease organisational costs and improve patients’ care. The Namibian public healthcare facilities have been experiencing challenges in retaining professional nurses for a long time and this has affected patient care, students’ clinical practice and the facilities’ status. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of professional nurses regarding the factors that influence the retention of professional nurses in a public healthcare facility in Windhoek, Namibia. A qualitative approach with a descriptive research design guided this study. One–on-one in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the perceptions and experiences of professional nurses on the factors influencing retention of staff. Eleven professional nurses were selected using purposive sampling. Consent to conduct the study was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University, the Ministry of Health and Social Service of Namibia, the health institution and individual study participants. Thematic analysis of the data was performed. Professional nurses reported that nurse retention in public healthcare facilities is negatively affected by poor working conditions including workload, insufficient remuneration system, lack of professional autonomy, limited career development opportunities and the respective lack of management and leadership styles. Retention of professional nurses promotes quality nursing care. Ineffective implementation of nurses’ retention strategies leads to low organisational productivity, poor patient care, poor facility image, job dissatisfaction and increased nurse turnover. Strategies to improve the quality of work life are recommended.