Nurse Mobility versus “Brain Drain”

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Yin Xu, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 210038, Cincinnati, OH 45221-003, 513/558-5240, XYI@UCMAIL.UC.EDU and Roberta Lee, MSN, MPH, RN, Nursing, University of cincinnati, 3110 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45221.

A global shortage of nurses significantly influences both developed and developing countries. Recruiting nurses from developing countries to developed countries has been used as a solution to nurse shortages. Ethical issues and the human rights of nurses are involved in this aspect of international health worker migration. Among the negative issues is the effect on health services of source countries (countries exporting nurses), already experiencing shortages of well-educated and skilled nurses. Strategies addressing the ethics of nurse migration have been recommended such as ethical nurse recruitment guidelines and compensation to source countries. To maximize the benefits and minimize the negative effects associated with nurse migration, strategic efforts by both developing and developed countries are needed and discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the learner will

1. Describe the phenomenon of nurse migration;
2. List the “pull” and “push” factors of nurse migration;
3. Discuss strategies to solve the global shortage of nurses and the negative effects of international nurse recruitment.

Keywords: Human Rights, Ethics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation

Human Rights through Global Lens: Challenges and Opportunities

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA