The Rockefeller agenda for American/Philippines nursing relations

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Nursing Workforce Studies
• History of Medicine

Background:

• The Philippines is the leading country for global nurse emigration.
• Filipino nurses constitute over 75% of foreign nurses in American hospitals.
• Many of these hospitals are municipally operated inner-city institutions facing nursing shortages.

Observation:

• This article investigates the historical development of the nursing relationship between the United States and the Philippines.
• It specifically examines the influence of the Rockefeller Foundation on 20th-century emigration patterns and work practices of Filipino nurses.

Findings:

• The emigration of Filipino nurses is shaped by a complex interplay of social, cultural, economic, and political factors.
• The Rockefeller Foundation played a significant role in shaping these migration trends and the professional lives of Filipino nurses.

Implications:

• Understanding the experiences of Filipino nurses provides insights into broader healthcare workforce dynamics.
• This analysis highlights how external factors influence global health workforce distribution and healthcare delivery.
• The study underscores the importance of considering historical and socio-political contexts in international healthcare collaborations.