Abstract:
The World Health Organization (WHO) held the Philippines as one of the top
exporter of registered nurses to foreign countries. The demand for health care
workers continues to increase in developed countries experiencing an aging of their
population and whose supply of health workers are low. Many Filipino nurses, and
even doctors, have responded to this trend and many others are bound to follow with
the continuing demand. This study focused on the widespread Filipino nurse
migration and was undertaken to determine the push and pull factors as well as the
effects and implications of the current Filipino nurse migration in the Philippines and
more specifically in the area of Cavite City. Various sources of data were utilized
such as library research, interviews and surveys to portray the present migration
trend. It was found out that the main push factors that drive Filipino nurses to
migrate are low salary, corruption in the government, political instability, and poor
working conditions among others. Nurses are mainly attracted to high salary,
additional perks, and better chances of professional growth abroad. The migration
trend has resulted to the loss in health manpower and eventually a decline in the
quality of health care. Many private and public hospitals nationwide have ceased
operations due to lack of staff as well. Recommendations include the incorporation
of a course on nationalism on nursing curriculum, an establishment of a Nursing Act,
collaboration of nursing institutions and agencies, appropriation of higher budget for
health, and improved working conditions for nurses and other health workers.
