Nurses’ Brain Drain in Pakistan: The Determinants and Reasons Pertaining to Nurses Leaving Pakistan to Overseas Territories in Health System

The study examines the brain drain phenomenon among Pakistani nurses, focusing on the factors influencing their migration to countries like Kuwait, Canada, and the USA. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was employed with survey data from 100 respondents, analyzing data from migrating nurses using paired sample t-tests. Results indicate that push and pull factors account for 65.67% and 83.32% of nurse migration. The research identifies key push factors, such as low salaries, heavy workloads, and political instability, alongside pull factors, including higher remuneration, safer environments, and better career opportunities abroad. The findings reveal that migration is predominantly driven by experienced, well-educated female nurses in their early to mid-career stages. This exodus poses a critical challenge to Pakistan's healthcare system, exacerbating understaffing and compromising service delivery. The study emphasizes the need for systemic reforms, including improved working conditions, competitive salaries, and clear professional growth pathways, to retain nursing talent. Healthcare policymakers are required to consider various push and pull factors causing the brain drain of experienced nurses. However, future research agenda calls for more insightful qualitative design considering the local and foreign healthcare policies.