EXPLORING KEY FACTORS CAUSING NURSES TO LEAVE PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Nurses are the backbone of healthcare systems, ensuring quality care, prevention, and health promotion. Pakistan, however, faces a critical shortage of nursing professionals, intensified by migration trends.

Objective: To identify the key factors contributing to nurse migration from Pakistan.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Lahore General Hospital and Punjab Institute of Cardiology between November 2024 and February 2025. A total of 300 registered nurses were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using validated push and pull factor questionnaires (Rizwan & Baig, 2024) and analyzed in SPSS-24. Ethical approval and informed consent were secured.

Results: Most participants were female (67.3%), aged 31-40 years (35%), and held Post RN BSN degrees (37.7%). Economic stressors dominated: low salary (56.3%) and currency devaluation (45%). Workplace issues included understaffing (70.3%) and workload (62%). Pull factors were primarily better salaries (74.3%) and career prospects abroad.

Conclusion: Economic hardship and poor work conditions push nurses out, while higher salaries and incentives abroad pull them. Retention requires urgent policy reforms.