Determination of Nursing Students' Attitudes Towards Brain Drain at a University and the Affecting Factors

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to determine nursing students' attitudes toward brain drain and the factors affecting these attitudes. Method: This study was designed with cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 287 nursing students in an undergraduate program. Data were collected online using the Personal Information Form and the Attitudes Towards Brain Drain Scale (ASBD). Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: According to results, 89.9% of the students were female, 28.9% were fourth graders, and the total score average of the Attitude Scale Towards Brain Drain was found to be 40.23 (SD=11.51). Factors affecting students' total scores on the Attitude Scale towards Brain Drain; As a result of examination with linear regression analysis (F (4.282): 12.280; p<0.001; R2: 0.136), it was determined as gender, income level, foreign language skills and knowledge about the nursing profession abroad. Conclusion: It has been determined that nursing students' attitudes towards brain drain and their tendency to migrate are below average, and the influencing factors are gender, income level, ability to speak a foreign language, and knowledge about the nursing profession abroad. In order to further reduce the attitudes of nursing students towards brain drain, who will have an important position among the qualified workforce in the health field, career opportunities should be created for students, wages should be improved and their professional development should be supported.