Caribbean nurse migration-a scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Migration Studies
• Nursing Workforce

Background:

• High nursing vacancy rates (averaging 40%) in Caribbean nations are exacerbated by nurse migration to developed countries like Canada, the US, and the UK.
• The region faces significant challenges in addressing this issue and requires sustainable strategies for nurse retention and recruitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of the literature on Caribbean nurse migration.
• To analyze the volume, type, sources, distribution, and focus of existing research.
• To identify critical gaps in the current body of knowledge regarding this phenomenon.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed across eight electronic databases and Google.
• Arksey and O'Malley's scoping framework guided the selection and review of identified records.
• Findings were synthesized numerically and thematically through an iterative, inductive process.

Main Results:

• The majority of reviewed literature (33%) originated in the United States, with publications increasing from 2003 to 2016.
• Key themes included migration patterns, post-migration experiences, policies/programs, and consequences for donor countries.
• A significant portion (56%) of the literature addressed nurse migration policies, programs, or practices.

Conclusions:

• The review highlights the need for research on the impact of nurse migration on health systems and population health.
• Current literature predominantly focuses on high-migration Caribbean countries, neglecting understudied nations.
• Further investigation into policies, trends, and impacts in understudied Caribbean countries is crucial for a comprehensive understanding.