Intention to migrate among the next generation of Turkish nurses and drivers of migration

Aims: To determine the main driving factors affecting the senior nursing students in their decision to migrate and to evaluate the effect of attitude towards migration in career planning. Background: In order to promote the nursing workforce, it is important to understand the factors affecting the decisions to migrate. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,410 Turkish nursing students. The data, which were collected using the Descriptive Form and Attitude Scale for Brain Drain (BD-s), were analysed with the multiple regression and decision tree analysis. Results: The mean score of attitudes towards migration was 56.30 ± 12.09 (min 16- max 80). The main push–pull drivers to migrate were the socio-political factors and working conditions. The BD-s score was higher in the participants, who had overseas experience, had career plans and studied in a metropolitan city. The strongest variable predicting career planning was the attitude towards migration. Conclusion: The opinions of the students on career planning and their intentions to migrate indicated that the shortage of nurses would continue in Turkey in the future. Implications for Nursing Management: The prospects of the nursing candidates regarding the nursing profession should be addressed considering their expectations for initial salaries, career development and salary increases.