The international transferability of human capital in nursing

This study examines the transferability of foreign human capital in nursing using the 1988-2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN). In contrast with theoretical predictions and previous studies, this research finds evidence that foreign nursing education commands a higher return than U.S. education, even after controlling for a rich set of covariates. Consistent with the literature, the estimates illustrate foreign experience earns a lower return than domestic experience in nursing. Analysis across subsamples reveals the counter-intuitive foreign education premium is driven by foreign nurses educated in English-speaking countries and those working in hospitals. These estimates suggest future research should take into account the heterogeneity in the returns on foreign education across occupations.