A Review of Factors Affecting the Migration of Indian Nurses

Abstract

Background: International nurse migration from India has surged due to global demand, driven by better pay and conditions abroad. India's nursing shortages worsen due to disparities in domestic employment. Despite being the second-largest nurse supplier, India has only 17.3 nurses per 10,000 people, notably lower, especially in rural areas. Method: This brief review synthesizes insights from five studies in India, aiming to understand nurse migration factors. Using Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley, CINAHL, and MEDLINE, studies exclusively focusing on nurses in India were selected, totaling 1,051 nurses. Result: Results show low salaries, limited career advancement, and poor working conditions drive migration, with nurses in the private sector more likely to migrate. Conclusion: Policy interventions are crucial to retain nursing talent and sustain healthcare services in India.