Global Nurse Migration: Why Healthcare's Biggest Shortage Is Driving Nurses Worldwide (And What It Means for Your Country)
In the problem with nurse shortage in the Healthcare Industry, not just in our country, but globally, the migration of nurses has been rampant. It has been drive by systematic wage disparities and better career development that has helped destination countries offset their domestic staffing shortages and posed as a significant risk to the healthcare systems of the source nation.
The primary reasons of migration by nurses are the low wage compensation, unmanageable patient-to-nurse ratios, toxic work environments, and the lack of clear career progression from their current company. On which the destination country/company has more offer available.
This migration movement impacts us Globally because the origin country from which our nurses come from will have sever “brain drain”, because highly trained professionals are stripped from them and this worsens domestic staffing shortages and severely impacts the quality and accessibility of local nurses. While the destination country rapidly stabilizes their critical staffing deficits.
Just for the knowledge of everyone, these 3 steps are the most basic core pathways to complete applications to other countries.
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Credentials
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Licensures/ competency examinations
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Immigration or visa Sponsorship
The exact process may vary depending on your destination country or company. Though the highest demand countries are the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Listed below are some of the qualifications needed by the designated countries:
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United States- submit Transcript of Records and licenses to the CGFNS for verification and evaluation, IELTS results (typically requires 7.0 score to 7.5 depending on the country or pass the OET (Occupational English Test) for some healthcare systems accepts this, just7 by scoring “B” in all relevant subjects. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and meet individual state board requirements and have an EB-3 employment-based visa or schedule a blanket labor certification. Which may need a US employer to sponsor your green card or H-1B visa.
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Canada- apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for assessment on your educational background IELTS results (typically requires 7.0 score to 7.5 depending on the country or pass the OET (Occupational English Test) for some healthcare systems accepts this, just by scoring “B” in all relevant subjects. Pass the NCLEX-RN examination, and have an express entry visa or try various Provincial Nominee Programs.
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United Kingdom- you need complete a primary source verification with CGNFS international to confirm your credentials, IELTS results (typically requires 7.0 score to 7.5 depending on the country or pass the OET (Occupational English Test) for some healthcare systems accepts this, just by scoring “B” in all relevant subjects. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam, pass the nursing and midwifery council (NMC) test of competency, which involves a computer-based test (CBT) and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Acquire a Health and Care worker Visa which is commonly sponsored directly by an NHS trust or private healthcare provider.
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Australia- Complete the NMBA Self-Check through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA), IELTS results (typically requires 7.0 score to 7.5 depending on the country or pass the OET (Occupational English Test) for some healthcare systems accepts this, just7 by scoring “B” in all relevant subjects. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam, complete an initial orientation and subsequently pass a national Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), have an Employer-sponsored visas or state-nominated permanent residency visas if you qualify through the points system.
Because of the nursing shortage globally, the WHO (World Health Organization) have established guidelines and Global Code of Practice on the recruitment of health personnels to promote ethical recruitments. They discourage active, aggressive hiring from countries that are already facing critical domestic healthcare professionals’ shortages. That is why organizations like the CGFNS International monitors migration patterns and ensures rigorous credential evaluations, which helps advocate the fair treatment and professional integration of migrant nurses.
Resources:
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Before you apply
2024 Nurse Migration Report - CGFNS International, Inc.