International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue I, January 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

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

Chiamaka J. Okafor¹, Caleb Chimereze²

^1,2 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.

Key Words： Brain Drain, Nigerian nurses, Emigration, Immigration, Developed countries, Developing countries

I. INTRODUCTION

The effect of industrialization and globalization, have made the world population to witness a drastic economic growth during the recent years. For each country, economic growth is important as it not only indicates its employment rate but also its wealth and standard of living. However globalization has also forced many developed countries to increase their search for skilled intellectuals from developing countries which are of cheaper option. Unavoidably, the increased mobility has resulted in shortage of skilled personnel in the developing countries as many of them prefer to seek opportunities outside their country of origin (Yellow, 2010).