Intentions and Motivations of Nurses to Migrate: A Review of Empirical Studies

Abstract

Six empirical studies of nurse migration motivations and intentions were identified for review. The review revealed that motivations and intentions varied by country of origin and by individual nurses. Nurses from more developed countries migrated for personal reasons, while nurses from less developed countries migrated for economic, professional and family reasons. Country‐level studies are needed in resource‐poor countries to inform health system policies and workforce development. These policies must simultaneously protect the right of the individual nurse to migrate and create conditions conducive to retention of nurses. Additional research is needed to understand the decision‐making processes related to migration and the experiences of individual nurses who migrate to more developed countries.

Citation

Gray, J. and Johnson, L. (2008), "Intentions and Motivations of Nurses to Migrate: A Review of Empirical Studies", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 4 No. 4, pp. 41-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/17479894200800023