Retention Strategies for the Migrating African Nurse - A Review

Abstract

The migration of African nurses is dealing a hard blow on the already fragile health systems in the continent. This is a constraint to achieving the health related Millennium Development Goals by African countries. Retention strategies for the African nurse has become imperative. Six out of resulting 680 references from electronic search were found worthy of review for addressing the research questions. These qualitative and quantitative articles uncovered nine major motivational themes identified as push factors responsible for the northward migration of African nurses. The main push factors are lack of further training and clear career profiles, poor remuneration and working conditions, political conflicts and wars, while the pull factors range from better remuneration and improved standards of living to opportunities for educational advancement. Dissatisfaction with remuneration and working conditions are the main determinants.