Fellow Nurses Africa Blog | 5 July, 2025
A Nurse’s Journey: Overcoming Adversity in African Hospitals By Radiyah Bature for Fellow Nurses Africa
We often hear phrases like “Nursing is a calling,” “Nurses are angels,” or “Nursing is a noble profession.” But how often do we pause to consider what nurses endure to fulfill their duties? Beyond wearing scrubs, administering medications, and monitoring patients, nurses in African hospitals face extraordinary challenges that test their resilience and dedication. Their journey is one of perseverance, compassion, and unwavering commitment.
In an exclusive conversation with Fellow Nurses Africa, Nurse Abdullahi Sani Shagari, a dedicated professional at Usmanu Danf Shelley University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto, Nigeria, shared his inspiring journey of overcoming adversity in his nursing career.
His insights reveal the realities of nursing in Africa and offer practical wisdom for navigating these challenges.
The Unique Demands of Teaching Hospitals
Nurse Abdullahi highlighted the distinct pressures of working in a teaching hospital. “Working in a teaching hospital is quite different from other healthcare institutions,” he explained. “As the highest tier of healthcare in Nigeria, teaching hospitals provide care, conduct research, and train students. Balancing patient care with mentoring students is incredibly stressful.”
This dual role of caregiver and educator requires nurses to juggle clinical responsibilities with academic obligations, often under intense pressure.
The Weight of High Workloads
One of the most significant challenges Nurse Abdullahi faces is the overwhelming workload due to staff shortages. “It’s undeniable that Nigeria lacks sufficient healthcare staff,” he said. “It’s not uncommon to find just two nurses on duty responsible for an entire ward, which is far from ideal.” This shortage strains nurses’ ability to provide quality care and adds significant stress to their daily work.
The Struggle with Time Management
Time management poses another hurdle. “Nurses typically work eight-hour shifts,” Nurse Abdullahi noted. “If I’m on the morning shift, I may need to leave by 2:30 PM for personal tasks, but due to some staff’s negligence, I can’t leave until the next shift arrives. It’s unethical to walk out without handing over.” This lack of punctuality disrupts personal schedules and compounds the stress of an already demanding role.
Strategies for Resilience and Success
Despite these challenges, Nurse Abdullahi has developed effective strategies to thrive in his role, offering valuable lessons for nurses across Africa.
Self-Motivation as a Foundation: “No matter the hardship, I remind myself that nursing is a profession of hope, sacrifice, and reward,” he shared. This mindset keeps him grounded and resilient, even in tough times.
Prioritizing Well-Being: On his days off, Nurse Abdullahi focuses on self-care. “I alternate between resting to relax my mind and body and engaging in activities that bring me joy,” he said. These practices serve as stress-relief therapy, helping him recharge.
Staying Focused and Collaborative: During work hours, he sticks to assigned tasks to maintain efficiency. He also values teamwork, saying, “Collaborating harmoniously with other healthcare professionals, like doctors, helps me avoid issues and ensures better patient outcomes.”
A Message of Hope for African Nurses
Nurse Abdullahi’s journey reflects the heart of Fellow Nurses Africa’s mission: to educate, inform, and support the nursing profession. He concluded with an inspiring message for nurses across Africa, both students and registered professionals: “Be time-conscious, carry out your duties with a pure heart and an open mind, and remember that the rewards of nursing the sick extend beyond this world to the hereafter.”
Conclusion
Nurses like Abdullahi Sani Shagari are the backbone of African healthcare, navigating adversity with strength and compassion. Their stories remind us that nursing is more than a profession—it’s a profound calling that demands resilience and heart. As we honor their contributions, let’s advocate for better resources, staffing, and support to empower nurses to deliver exceptional care.
Call to Action: Are you a nurse with a story of overcoming challenges in African healthcare? Share your experiences in the comments below or join the conversation on Fellow Nurses Africa’s platform. Together, we can inspire and uplift the nursing community across the continent.
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform, and support the nursing profession.
The issues of not having enough hands at work and staff negligence are the most common challenges nurses face across the country. Whenever I have to work overtime due to any of the above reasons, I get tired, sometimes frustrated. However, I remind myself that my patients are my priority and seeing them happy and healthy gives me joy as well. Nurses are the real angels.