For Work and For School: Internal Migration of Canada's Rural Nurses

Abstract

Using data from the Registered Nurses Database and a recently conducted national survey, this study examined the internal migration patterns of Canadian-educated rural RNs. Inter-provincial migration rates, ranging from 11% to 27% depending on the database used, mask much wider variations in sub-provincial movement rates, which are particularly relevant when considering the provision of nursing services in rural and remote communities. Rural RNs are more likely to migrate if they are female, older, working in nursing stations, and living in remote communities. A majority of RNs whose migration is associated with going to school after their initial nursing education do not return to the jurisdiction where they were first registered. Targeted migration studies are needed to fully understand both the detailed patterns and the predictors of such movements in order to better assess recruitment and retention policies and to enhance our overall health human resources planning models.