Assessment of motivation of nurses at government hospitals in Uganda: a case of Mulago National Referral Hospital

Abstract

The study assessed motivation of nurses at Government Referral Hospitals, a case of Mulago National Referral Hospital. Motivation is key to inform health service quality delivered by nurses at the hospital. The study was guided by three objectives; to determine the government interventions on motivation of Nurses at Mulago National Referral Hospital, to establish the factors hindering motivation of Nurses at Mulago General Hospital and suggest strategies of improving motivation of Nurses at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The study adopted descriptive research design with a quantitative and qualitative approach. The 145 questionnaires were filled by nurses and analyzed using SPSS version 20 and three interviewees from administrators for nurses were analyzed using content analysis of thematic themes. Results indicated that government interventions were provision of job security, job description, clear known path for promotion, bonus for high performance, set achievable goals, competitive compensation efforts where senior nursing officers earn Shs4. 6 million while the nursing officers earn a monthly salary of Shs 4.4 million, professional growth and upskilling programs motivate nurses at hospitals. Challenges were poor compensation schemes, ineffective communication, low expectations for success, excessive concentration on achievement, unrealistic set targets, disputes between management and nurses, lack of a promotion plan hindering motivation of nurses at Hospital. Strategies were involvement of nurses in decision making within regular meetings, provision of accommodation facilities, continuous development training programs, provision of opportunity for promotion, setting competitive salary and job responsibilities improves motivation of nurses at hospital. The study recommended that hospitals should increase the budget for nurses to provide competitive salary, provide continuous professional development programs, clear promotion paths for nurses, mentoring and coaching, build accommodation facilities, work life balance, engagement in decision making and clear job description improves motivation of nurses at hospital. The study recommended that hospitals should increase the budget for nurses to provide competitive salary, provide continuous professional development programs, clear promotion paths for nurses, mentoring and coaching, build accommodation facilities, work life balance, engagement in decision making and clear job description improves motivation of nurses at hospital.