Factors in the drop in the migration of Spanish-trained nurses: 1999-2007

Abstract

Aim: To reveal correlates of the decrease of Spanish nurse migration (1999-2007).

Background: Nursing outmigration is a concern for countries. Nurse migration from Spain began in the 1990s.

Introduction: From 1999 to 2007, the yearly number of migrations dropped significantly. We ask what social, economic and policy factors could be related to this drop.

Methods: We used publicly available statistics to confirm hypothesis (1) The drop in nursing migration coincided with a drop in nursing unemployment. Then we hypothesized that this coincided with (1a) a decrease in the number of graduates, (1b) an increase in the number of hospitals and/or beds functioning, and/or (1c) an increase in the ratio of part-time contracts.

Results: Our analysis confirms hypotheses (1) and (1c) and disconfirms (1a) and (1b).

Conclusion: The greater availability of part-time contracts seems to have encouraged nurses to remain in Spain.

Implications for nursing management: The strategy to reduce nursing unemployment with more part-time contracts, while temporarily successful in Spain, brings with it major challenges for patient care and the working life of nurses. We suggest that nurse leaders and health policymakers consider proactive policies to adjust the balance between supply and demand without decreasing the quality of available positions.

Keywords: Europe; Spain; labour market; migration; mobility; nurses; policy; work conditions.