Diary of an overworked and underpaid Kenyan nurse

As Kenya joined the world in commemorating International Nurses Day on May 12, the country's nursing workforce finds itself grappling with a multitude of challenges that have long plagued the profession.

From understaffed hospitals, poor working conditions to unfulfilled promises and brain drain, nurses in Kenya feel their rights have been sidelined, leaving them overworked, underpaid and struggling to provide quality care.

The theme for this year's International Nurses Day was “Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care," and sought to spotlight the pivotal role nurses play in healthcare systems worldwide.

However, for many nurses, the reality on the ground paints a grim picture, one marred by systemic issues that have persisted for years.

Ian Ondu, a registered nurse with nine years of experience at Ngong Sub-County Hospital, has witnessed firsthand the myriad challenges plaguing the nursing profession in Kenya.

"Our efforts to specialise or further our education in different fields aren't being taken into consideration," he says, highlighting the lack of career progression opportunities for nurses who seek to advance their qualifications.

The shortage of staff is another immediate obstacle Ondu and his colleagues grapple with daily.

"We have insufficient working tools, sometimes forcing us to improvise, which may compromise the quality of care or even put our lives at risk," he adds, underscoring the dire conditions nurses often find themselves in.

Deborah Monari, a nurse at one of Kenya's major public hospitals, echoes similar sentiments.

With just over a year of experience under her belt, Monari has already experienced the intense strain that overworked nurses routinely face.

"Kenyan nurses are overworked, due to routine short staffing, particularly in public hospitals," she says. "This overwhelms us and leads to immense stress."

The intense hospital environments, coupled with grueling conditions and lack of breaks, take a toll on nurses' physical and mental well-being.

"We spend a large amount of time with patients and rarely have time to unwind. It can be excruciating," Monari adds.

The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), the body mandated to regulate nursing and midwifery education and practice in the country, acknowledges the critical issue of chronic understaffing and overworking of nurses, particularly in public hospitals.

In a statement, the Council states that it is collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and county governments, to advocate for the recruitment of more nurses and midwives to meet recommended nurse-to-patient ratios.