Abstract:
Migration is increasingly becoming an important feature of globalization. There are reported emigration of health professionals from developing countries to developed countries. Consequently, this poses a major challenge to the health sector of these countries. Against this background, this study examined the intentions of public and private student nurses to migrate after school. Specifically, drawing on the pull-push theory of migration, the study assessed the major predisposing factors affecting the intentions of student nurses to migrate; the preferred destination countries and the factors influencing the choice of those preferred destination countries. A simple random sampling technique was used in sampling 220 student nurses for the survey using questionnaire whilst five nurses were selected for the qualitative aspect of the study. The study revealed that most of the student nurses intend to migrate from the country upon completion of their training. Economic factors such as better wages and conditions of services at destination countries and social factors like pressure from relatives at home and abroad were given by the respondents as some of the motivating factors for their intention to emigrate. The majority of males intend to emigrate after school and those who have never married were more likely to migrate. Countries such as the United States of America and United Kingdom were preferred destinations. Additionally, the study revealed that language familiarity, higher and attractive wages in destination countries and availability of social networks were some of the factors that influence respondents‟ choice of preferred destination countries. Based on these findings, the study concludes that the intentions of health workers in Ghana to emigrate is significantly high and poses a major challenge to the health sector, given the high demand for them. The study therefore recommends better working conditions and incentives to be provided by the government and other stakeholders to motivate these health workers to stay.
