Psychosocial and spiritual correlates of migration intentions among nursing and midwifery students: a descriptive correlational study.

introductionThe migration of highly educated individuals, particularly in healthcare, from developing to developed countries has increased in recent years. Nurses and midwives seeking better living and career opportunities abroad pose challenges to the quality and sustainability of healthcare services. Understanding the migration intentions of nursing and midwifery students is essential for anticipating future workforce issues and guiding effective policy responses.

aimTo examine the relationships between nursing and midwifery students’ future expectations, levels of hopelessness, religious belief levels, and migration inclinations.

methodThis descriptive and correlational study was conducted among nursing and midwifery students (n = 480) at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Gaziantep University, Türkiye. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Future Expectations Scale for Adolescents (FESA), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Religious Belief Scale for Adolescents (RBSA), and the Attitudes Scale for Brain Drain Among Nursing Students (ASBD). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.

resultsAmong the participants, 59.4% were aged between 18 and 20 years, 79.2% were female, and 95.6% were Turkish nationals. A total of 43.8% reported considering living abroad, and 26.9% expressed a preference for Germany. Economic and professional factors were the primary motivations for 40.6% of students considering migration. It was determined that students’ future expectations (mean FESA score, 91.65 ± 39.31) and levels of hopelessness (mean BHS score, 10.90 ± 4.96) were moderate, their level of religious belief (mean RBSA score, 82.24 ± 12.15) was high, and their tendency to migrate (mean ASBD score, 28.31 ± 14.01) was low.

conclusionAs a result, it was determined that a significant portion of nursing and midwifery students considered migrating abroad, most often choosing Germany. Their intention to migrate stemmed primarily from economic and professional factors. The findings also indicate that students’ future expectations and hopelessness levels were moderate, their religious belief levels were high, and their overall tendency to migrate was low. As religious belief levels increased, students’ future expectations increased, their hopelessness decreased, and their tendency to migrate decreased. Regression analyses revealed that future expectations and religious belief were depressing, while hopelessness increased, and these three variables, combined, played a strong predictive role in explaining students’ migration intentions. CLINICAL TRAIL NUMBER: Not applicable.