A Future Threat to the Nursing Profession: Brain Drain

This study addresses brain drain in nursing as a multidimensional global health issue. Brain drain refers to the migration of qualified labor abroad as a result of attractive factors such as better pay, working conditions, and quality of life, combined with various push factors. WHO projections indicate that the nursing shortage will increase until 2030, while migration will deepen inequalities between countries, negatively affecting service quality and patient safety. In the Turkish context, the number of nurses is below the OECD average; the tendency to migrate is high among nurses and students, with economic conditions being the main determinant. In addition to the classic push-pull factors, this study discusses reverse brain drain, virtual/digital, and hidden brain drain. It has been determined that despite the existence of programs supporting reverse migration, the impact of deterrent and retraction measures remains limited. Furthermore, ethical recruitment principles, data-driven workforce planning, and international cooperation are emphasized in situations where migration is inevitable. In conclusion, it is predicted that brain drain in nursing will continue without comprehensive, long-term strategies targeting economic and professional motivation, rather than short-term solutions.