Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113040

Kate Tulenko, MD MPH M Phil, World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, 202-473-1066, ktulenko@yahoo.com

Many developing countries are currently experiencing a nursing shortage of crisis proportions, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where it is estimated that half a million new nurses will be needed in the next ten years. In an effort to work on ways to solve the crisis, we identified and analyzed developing countries which produce large numbers of nurses per capita (Philippines, South Africa, the CARICOM countries) to determine which factors were important to their success. Identified factors include strong secondary school systems that produce qualified entrants, the presence of private (religious, NGO, and for-profit) nursing schools, and strong government commitment to nurse production. Based on these factors and others, we recommend a series of policy tools that can be used by developing countries to increase the production and retention of nurses.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. List 5 policy tools for increasing the production and retention of nurses in developing countries.
• 2. Identify the major barriers to increased nurse production.
• 3. Discuss the push and pull factors that fuel nurse migration.
• 4. Discuss the complex, multi-sector nature of resolving the human resources for health crisis.

Keywords: Workforce, Nurses

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation