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Summary Background In a country with a poor economy and limited job opportunities, the outmigration of students is not commonly perceived as a problem but rather is perceived as a solution to the high unemployment facing young health professionals. Objectives Study objectives were to identify the prevalence of intention to work abroad of nursing graduates to point to the predictors of intention to work abroad and predictors of having a firm plan to work in a foreign country. Design Descriptive study, a survey. Settings College and specialist nursing schools, Serbia. Participants 719 nursing graduates from the 2012/2013 school year. Methods Voluntarily completed a questionnaire that was designed with regard to similar surveys administered in EU-candidate countries during the pre-accession period. Data were analysed with descriptive and multivariate regression analyses. Results Almost 70% (501) of respondents indicated an intention to work abroad. Of the nurses, 13% already had established a firm plan to work abroad. Single graduates and those with a friend or relative living abroad were more likely to consider working abroad than were their counterparts (odds ratios were 2.3 and 1.7, respectively). The likelihood of considering working abroad decreased by 29% when the individuals' financial situation was improved. Factors associated with having a firm plan were previous professional experience in a foreign country, having someone abroad and financial improvement (5.4 times, 4.8 times and 2 times greater likelihood, respectively). Conclusions The high prevalence of intention to work abroad suggests the need to place the issue of the out-migration of nursing graduates on the policy agenda. College and specialty nursing graduates and health technicians are prepared to work abroad in search of a better quality of life, better working conditions and higher salaries.

Summary Background: Student mobility within Europe is encouraged by the EU’s ‘Bologna process’ and financially supported by the Socrates programme. However, relatively few UK nursing students travel to Europe for study. Aims: To compare the willingness to study or work abroad and the perceived barriers and benefits of doing so, amongst students in England and Spain. Methods: Third year nursing students completed a 15 item questionnaire on work and study abroad. Results: Spanish students were younger than UK students, had fewer family commitments, and better language skills. There was little difference between Spanish and UK students in wanting to study abroad, UK students named English speaking countries as likely destinations. Spanish students named Italy; the UK and USA were also popular. Perceived barriers for UK students were funding, family, and language. Family commitments were not a major problem for Spanish students. Spanish were more likely than English students to see language as a problem. Conclusions: UK and Spanish Nursing students are equally enthusiastic about studying or working abroad but UK students have limited language skills, are less able to access Socrates funding for European destinations, and given their age and family commitments, funding is a barrier for ‘non-Socrates’ destinations. c 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Summary Background Migration of Korean nurses has continued with changing patterns and reasons. However, detailed studies of migration among Korean nursing students are limited. Objectives This study examined the intention, reasons, and preferences of migration among Korean nursing students. This study also identified priorities and barriers to the decision of nursing students to migrate and work abroad. Design A descriptive study using a questionnaire was used for this study. Participants and settings A total of 717 nursing students from four BSN programs and three diploma programs at nursing schools in D city and K province of South Korea were included in the analysis. Results According to the results, 69.8% of respondents intended to migrate abroad, if possible, or absolutely in the future. The score for females who answered “yes, if possible” regarding the intention to migrate was significantly higher, compared to males. More than 64% of respondents eventually want to return to Korea after migration. The two most common reasons for migration were economic reason (salary) (29.7%) and “professional development (28.2%)”. Half of all respondents preferred the US as the destination country of migration (50.5%). “Working condition” was the most prevalent reason for the decision regarding the destination and the place to work. More than 71% of respondents selected “the lack of language proficiency” as a barrier to migration. Conclusions Economic reason was not as strong as in the past to explain migration of Korean nursing students. Most Korean nursing students want to return back with professional development and higher degree. Even permanent migration and return migration of nurses are an inevitable part of globalization, positive and negative aspects of migration between donor as well as destination countries should be investigated.

Summary Aims To estimate the proportion of nursing students in Hungary who intend to graduate from a nursing program and intend to work as a nurse after graduation. Methods A cross-sectional, mail survey was implemented. A total of 381, purposively selected, final year students returned the survey instrument developed by the researchers. The survey was conducted in 3 of the total 7 nationwide nursing schools. Results The rate of estimated student attrition ranged between 7 and 20%. Students were most satisfied with the mentoring and support received from faculty, and were least satisfied with their future career as a nurse. The most important factors that predicted intent to graduate and work after graduation were satisfaction with faculty support and clinical experiences, influence from family/peers to leave nursing, and intent to work abroad. Conclusions Self-reported student attrition was prevalent in the sample studied. Students ranked faculty support as the top influence to graduate and work as a nurse after graduation. The finding that family/peers had negative influence on students' intent to graduate requires further exploration. Provision of strong, continuous support to faculty members by the school administration seems the best, but not the only counter attack against student attrition.