Draining the specialized nursing brains, the emigration paradigm of Ghana: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Aim The study aimed to determine the emigration intentions of specialist nurses (SNs) and ascertain the influencing factors, implications and mitigating factors in Ghana. Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods The sample was composed of 225 participants conveniently selected from a tertiary facility in Ghana. A turnover intention scale and the researchers' developed questionnaire were used to collect the data between June 1 and September 30, 2021. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics and linear regression. Results The composite mean score for specialist nurses' intention to migrate was high (mean = 3.43); and the push factors accounted for the intentions explaining 48.6% of the variation (R2 = 0.486, F(5, 219) = 38.46, p < 0.001). The associated challenges of specialist nurses' emigration are increased cost of training new specialist nurses, poor quality of specialist nursing care, burnout syndrome among staff and poor patient health outcomes.

Keywords

• brain drain
• emigration paradigm
• specialist nurses
• sub‐Saharan Africa