CONTEXTUALISATION OF NURSING STAFF RETENTION ON PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC SECTOR

Takalani Violet Phaduli, Mocheudi Martinus Selepe and Thabiso Lucky Malatji
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Takalani Violet Phaduli: Department of Public Administration, University of Limpopo
Mocheudi Martinus Selepe: Department of Public Administration, University of Limpopo
Thabiso Lucky Malatji: Department of Public Administration, University of Limpopo

Social Sciences and Education Research Review, 2026, vol. 13, issue 1, 425-438

Abstract: The study contextualises nursing staff retention in public health service delivery. The main objective of the study is to identify the mechanisms that will enhance nursing personnel retention. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology utilizing a conceptual approach. The global healthcare sector struggled with a critical issue: retaining nursing staff, which significantly impacted healthcare service delivery, patient outcomes, and the overall healthcare system. In South Africa, the Department of Health encounters significant challenges in retaining nursing staff in rural areas. The study synthesizes existing research on nursing staff retention, examining factors that influenced retention, effective retention strategies, and framework development. It provides a comprehensive understanding and justification for developing effective strategies to enhance nursing staff retention in the specified region. Staff turnover within public health organizations can impact the quality of direct care services provided to patients due to disruptions in continuity of care. The remaining staff faces the challenges of increased workload, burnout, and potential impacts on service delivery because of high turnover. Various perspectives on strategies to enhance public health service delivery, including leveraging evidence-based practices, fostering collaboration, implementing quality improvement initiatives, investing in workforce development, and promoting a culture of data-driven decision-making within public health organizations must be provided.

Keywords: Public Health; Nursing; Personnel; Staff Retention; Service Delivery; Government (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:edt:jsserr:v:13:y:2026:i:1:p:425-438

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21036253

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