Emigration challenges for Iranian nurses: A qualitative content analysis study

Abstract

Background: The immigration of educated professionals, including nurses, presents a significant challenge, particularly for developing countries. There has been a lack of research in the Iranian context aimed at thoroughly exploring the motivations and difficulties experienced by nurses seeking to emigrate. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the challenges Iranian nurses encounter when emigrating. Method: This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach. The participants included 12 Iranian nurses with either experience or an intention to emigrate, selected in 2024 through purposeful and snowball sampling. They provided their written informed consent to participate. Data were collected and simultaneously analyzed through semi-structured individual interviews until theoretical saturation. MAXQDA software version 2020 was utilized to manage and analyze the textual data. Results: Inductive data analysis revealed 22 sub-categories and three main categories, namely “Repulsions inside the country,” “Allures abroad,” and “Emigration challenges and obstacles”. Conclusion: Numerous professional, economic, social, and political challenges within and outside the country and the aspiration for a better life and experience in a new setting, have resulted in a strong inclination among Iranian nurses to emigrate. Nonetheless, obstacles, including language acquisition, admission complexity, homesickness after immigration, and cultural disparities, represent significant hurdles requiring further investigation.