Examining domains of community health nurse satisfaction and motivation: results from a mixed-methods baseline evaluation in rural Ghana

Authors: Emma Sacks, Soumya Alva, Sophia Magalona and Linda Vesel

A strong health system requires a competent and caring workforce. A more satisfied and motivated health workforce should be more willing to serve in difficult areas, have lower turnover, and theoretically provide better care to patients. This study examines the motivation, satisfaction, and correlation with clinical knowledge, of community health nurses (CHNs), a cadre of provider focused on maternal, newborn and child health in rural Ghana. The study results conclude that CHNs in Ghana were satisfied overall but desired more training, more guidance and supervision, fair pay and opportunities to advance in their career. Improving health worker satisfaction and morale may be important for health worker retention and certain aspects of care but may not have a significant influence on clinical knowledge or performance.