Nurses constitute the largest professional group in South Africa's health care services. Factors contributing to South African nurses' emigration were studied qualitatively by analysing expatriate nurses' responses to open-ended questions, and quantitatively by analysing newly registered nurses' responses to structured questionnaires. These results were contextualised within Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory, revealing that nurses' inability to meet their physiological needs, due to inadequate remuneration, was the major factor contributing to nurses' emigration potential. While improved salaries might enable more nurses to remain in South Africa, expatriate nurses would not return to South Africa unless certain esteem and self-actualisation needs could also be satisfied. Improving nurses' salaries is essential to address South African nurses' emigration potential. However, improved working conditions, enhanced workplace security, improved levels of job satisfaction and the appointment of nurses into currently frozen posts are also necessary, as is governmental and public recognition of the value of the profession. The South African nursing profession, health care services, Government and society should urgently address factors contributing to South African nurses' emigration potential; otherwise a serious shortage of nurses could cause the collapse of this country's health care services. / Health Studies / DLITT ET PHIL (HEALTH ST)

The shortage of nurses in any health care setting increases workloads and complicates workflow. In South Africa the shortage is exacerbated by multiple factors, one of which is the emigration of nurses to countries that offer better benefits and working conditions. The purpose of the study was to explore and determine the views of nurse managers regarding staff turnover and retention, and to recommend effective measures to improve the retention of nurses. The inquiry was conducted in a KwaZulu-Natal hospital, a natural setting for the participants. The study utilized a qualitative, explorative, descriptive design. The population of this study comprised of 36 nurse managers. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were applied to select a sample of 18 nurse managers. Data were collected through focus groups. Data were transcribed and analysed thematically, emerging patterns were noted. The researchers examined these categories closely and compared them for similarities and differences. identifying the most frequent or significant codes in order to develop the prominent categories. These were summarised in a narrative form. Four themes emerged from the findings: the staff turnover challenge; current retention strategies; measures to improve retention and strengthening management. The shortage of nursing staff was critical at this selected hospital, and this situation could be considered to be a microcosm of what is happening in public health care sectors in South Africa. Various measures were put in place to curb the high turnover. However, these measures had a fair to low level of success. Therefore, improved retention strategies are required to reduce the staff turnover. It is evident from the findings that needs to be done to investigate, plan and implement effective measures that are likely to retain nursing staff and recruit more nurses into the profession. / Health Studies / M. A. (Nursing Science)