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Brain Drain among Nigerian Nurses: Implications to the Migrating Nurse and the Home Country

Author

Listed:
  • Chiamaka J. Okafor

    (University of Nigeria, Department of Nursing Sciences)

  • Caleb Chimereze

    (University of Nigeria, Department of Nursing Sciences)

Abstract

There have been a reasonable number of highly skilled and educated professionals migrating from their home countries (developing countries) in search of better economic and social opportunities in developed countries. This paper discussed the concept of brain drain, the causes of brain drain among Nigerian nurses, the positive and negative implications of brain drain to the migrating nurses and the home country, and suggested ways of reversing brain drain and possibly attracting nurse migrants back to the country. The literature review shows that Nigeria has witnessed increased migration of Nurses to developed nations due to push factors (low remunerations, poor governmental policies, poor working conditions) and pull factors (such as good working conditions, better pay); which are offered by developed world. However the positive impacts of brain drain which includes remittance, improved health, quality life etc. are outweighed by the negative impacts of nurse migration as it has resulted to shortage of nurses within the country leaving its citizens to suffer poor healthcare service delivery. Therefore, following the continuous migration of nurses out of the country, it is imperative that the government adopts appropriate measures through increase in workers’ remuneration, improved working conditions, professional autonomy, and regulation policies on migration to reduce migration of Nigerian nurses to developed countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiamaka J. Okafor & Caleb Chimereze, 2020. "Brain Drain among Nigerian Nurses: Implications to the Migrating Nurse and the Home Country," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 7(1), pages 15-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bjc:journl:v:7:y:2020:i:1:p:15-21
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gloria Likupe, 2013. "The skills and brain drain what nurses say," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(9-10), pages 1372-1381, May.
    2. Jackline Wahba, 2015. "Selection, selection, selection: the impact of return migration," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 28(3), pages 535-563, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ebele E. Nnadozie & Obinna O. Ike & Leonard I. Ugwu, 2025. "Do Perceived Insider Status Influence Intent to Stay Among Nurses: The Mediating Role of Psychological Ownership," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(1), pages 21582440251, February.
    2. Renier Steyn & Takawira Munyaradzi Ndofirepi, 2024. "Why do many educated individuals leave Zimbabwe? Economic realities and the draw of developed countries," Insights into Regional Development, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 6(2), pages 117-133, June.
    3. Aduma Aloysius & Celestine Chijioke Onah & Eze Fred O., 2025. "Human Capital Flight (Brain Drain) and Service Delivery in Public Hospitals in Nigeria: Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) in Perspective," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, August.

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