Nursing Brain Drain from India
Author Information
Author(s): Michael Hawkes, Mary Kolenko, Michelle Shockness, Krishna Diwaker
Primary Institution: Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto
Hypothesis
Up to one fifth of the nursing labour force may be lost to wealthier countries through circular migration.
Conclusion
The study suggests that a significant portion of India's nursing workforce is temporarily migrating to wealthier countries in search of better pay.
Supporting Evidence
- 20% of nurses surveyed had worked abroad, representing 19% of their total work experience.
- Older and more experienced nurses were more likely to have worked abroad.
- 63% of India's nurses intended to emigrate due to dissatisfaction with working conditions.
Takeaway
Many nurses from India are leaving to work in richer countries for better pay, but they often come back after some time.
Methodology
Anonymous written questionnaires were administered to a convenience sample of nurses at a private hospital.
Potential Biases
The sample was predominantly Malayalam-speaking and Christian, which may not reflect the broader demographic of Indian nurses.
Limitations
The study was based on a single hospital and may not represent the entire nursing workforce in India.
Participant Demographics
Median age of participants was 27 years, 96% were female, and 98% had a three-year nursing diploma.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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