It is widely accepted that health systems are not producing the desired output of healthrninterventions due to factors such as insufficient skilled and experienced health personnel, healthrnpersonnel that lack motivation, lack of management skills, poor working conditions andrnenvironment, and inadequate remuneration.rnThis study explores the factors that positively as well as negatively affect performance of nursesrnwho are working in hospitals and Health centers administrated by Addis Ababa Health Bureaurnwith the endeavor of providing a recommendation for improving the performance of nurses. Thernstudy followed a quantitative research approach using an explorative descriptive design. Arnsurvey method using questionnaires was applied. The response to the study was positive as arnresponse rate of 85% was obtained.rnBaseline results revealed various factors, which affect performance. The study revealed thatrnhospitals and health centers administrated by Addis Ababa health Bureau have majorrndeficiencies in human resource management aspects such as to remuneration, benefits, reward,rnrecognition, knowledge and skills base, staff development, Management skills, andrncompetencies. These aspects are strongly associated with level of performance of healthrnpersonnel.rnBased on the results, recommendations were proposed: enhancing the nursing profession;rnstrengthening knowledge and expertise, including management skills; improving performance;rnand generating knowledge through research