Factors that influence career decisions in Canada's nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing workforce mobility
• Professional socialization in healthcare
• Career development in nursing

Background:

• Understanding nurse mobility is crucial for healthcare system planning.
• Professional socialization influences career decisions and retention.
• Internal migration patterns among Canadian nurses are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of nurses who relocated between Canadian provinces and territories for work.
• To investigate the role of professional socialization in nurses' career mobility and decisions.
• To identify factors influencing nurses' intent to remain in the profession and country.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative data analysis from a national survey of nurses in Canada.
• Exploration of nurses' perceptions and expectations of nursing practice.
• Analysis of factors influencing career choices, including mobility and job satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Early perceptions of nursing significantly impact career decisions, including mobility.
• The core values of 'caring' and direct patient contact are central to job satisfaction.
• Nursing is perceived as a career facilitating mobility for family and professional growth.

Conclusions:

• Professional socialization shapes nurses' career paths and mobility decisions.
• Strategies supporting professional socialization are needed to enhance nurse retention in Canada.
• Addressing factors influencing mobility can help retain nurses within the country.