What Is the Contribution of India Towards Nurses and Healthcare Workers Working Abroad?

India has an enormous capacity to produce skilled nurses and health workers. It serves as a major source country for migrant nurses and doctors from around the world. According to the Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel, India has practised ethical international recruitment of health workers, taking into account the rights and obligations of the home and host countries, as well as the health workers. The production capacity of nurses in India has increased over time. The number of institutions offering bachelor's degree courses has also increased. This underlines the remarkable increase in the production capacity of nurses prepared for further education.

India has a long tradition of nurses migrating overseas in search of better opportunities. Canada, Australia and United Kingdom have seen a steady increase in the flow of Indian nurses. For Indian-educated nurses, the attractions of migrating to these countries include a world-renowned nursing education, higher salaries, better working conditions, job security, access to health care technology, and a better quality of life for their families.

Migration of Indian health workers

The migration of health workers, mostly from low- and middle-income countries to more developed countries, has received much attention. Health worker migration highlights benefits such as transfer of skills, knowledge, high technology, professional development and better remuneration. Nurses trained in India are an important part of the internationally trained nurses working overseas. States such as Punjab and Kerala have large numbers of nurses who tend to migrate overseas.

In addition, since the 1950s there has been a growing demand for well-trained and English-speaking nurses to address the nursing shortage in many countries. Canada is a perfect example. It is a country that has provided academic and professional opportunities for internationally educated nurses to strengthen its healthcare system. While some nurses apply for nursing courses in Canada to receive a high-quality education, others migrate because of the high-income prospects, competent nursing training and lucrative professional opportunities.

Nurses who apply for nursing jobs abroad are trained with a process-oriented approach that gives them the opportunity to maximise their career potential and achieve the success they deserve.

Intention to migrate abroad and other influencing factors

From a personal perspective, most Indian nurses cite economic reasons as the primary trigger for migration. However, this does not fully explain the decision to leave the destination country, as sometimes economic needs are already met. In numerous cases, migration is also motivated by social and professional ambitions that emphasise the impact of the cultural environment. In other cases, family support and migrant networks in the country of origin and destination are also important elements in supporting migration.

Indian nurses migrate abroad because of many influencing factors, some which are listed below:

• Age:

  Age is an important factor in the mobility of Indian nurses overseas. Often the younger Indian nurses are more mobile than the older ones. Younger nurses are comparatively more inclined to experience a better professional life abroad and have serious intentions to move abroad.

• Marital status:

  Another factor that influences the decision of Indian nurses to move abroad is their marital status. Nurses who are single tend to be highly motivated to migrate because a single person is more mobile than a married person, as the latter has to take care of the family, which limits migration. Some families may also discourage nurses from moving abroad, while other families may support the decision to migrate. Nevertheless, single nurses have a higher intention to migrate abroad.

• Higher education:

  Completing higher nursing education abroad offers Indian nurses a wide range of career opportunities. The education is world-renowned and allows them to specialise in a field and take on a leadership role. Many nursing graduates choose to become nurse educators, enabling them to mentor others who aspire to become professional nurses.

• Professional scope:

  Some of the common motivations for becoming a nurse are the ease of finding a job, a higher salary and providing services to the sick. All of these motivations have an impact on the intention to migrate. Canada, Australia and UK among others offer nurses unlimited opportunities to find respectable jobs in the specialties of their choice, along with lucrative salaries. Completing a nursing course in Canada can help qualify a nurse to capitalise on the wide range of career opportunities. Depending on the specialisation that a nurse completes, he/she can work in different healthcare settings.

Conclusion

International recruitment of Indian nurses has led to an efficient healthcare system in Canada, Australia, UK and other countries. This migration trend of Indian nurses has led to the development of the nursing job market overseas, while making the healthcare facilities highly robust and competent.

If you are interested in taking up an international career in nursing please get in touch with our professionals at MWT Education Consultancy who can help you every step of the way. We’ve already helped thousands of Indian nurses find a fulfilling career abroad, and you could be next!