FROM NIGHTINGALE TO NOMAD: BURNOUT AND FINANCIAL PRECARITY AMONG FILIPINO NURSE MIGRANTS FROM KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Filipino nurses have long sought opportunities abroad to improve their socioeconomic conditions, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia being a key destination due to its competitive salaries and benefits. While working overseas offers promising rewards, many nurses face significant challenges upon returning home, particularly emotional burnout and financial instability. This study delves into the experiences of Filipino nurse migrants who have returned from Saudi Arabia, exploring how burnout and financial precarity coexist and affect their well-being. Through a cross-sectional survey of 100 returned nurses, the research found that moderate levels of burnout—especially emotional exhaustion—were common alongside varying degrees of financial stress. Importantly, the study uncovered a meaningful relationship between financial difficulties and burnout, suggesting that economic pressures exacerbate emotional exhaustion among these healthcare workers. These findings underscore the urgent need for nursing education and support programs that prepare and assist nurses in managing both psychological and financial challenges during reintegration. Addressing these intertwined issues is crucial not only for the nurses' personal welfare but also for sustaining the resilience and effectiveness of the Filipino nursing workforce.