International Recruitment of Nurses to the U.S.:
Towards a Consensus on Ethical Standards of Practice

Background

Migration of highly skilled workers from less developed nations to industrialized nations is an inevitable part of the process of globalization and provides both benefits and costs for the source countries. Benefits include professional opportunities for migrants, remittances and, when migrants return, the transfer of new skills back to the local economy. Costs are incurred when the departures leave major gaps in human capital and the ability to deliver vital services, such as healthcare. 

With an estimated shortage of 800,000 nurses by the year 2020,[1] U.S. hospitals and long term care facilities are increasingly looking abroad to hire health care professionals, especially nurses. While they know that international recruitment cannot entirely resolve the shortage, it is viewed as a partial solution.

International nurse recruitment companies are critical players in this growing phenomenon. Yet very little is known about the variations in operating models. Moreover, public debate is largely polarized between those who see international recruitment of nurses as an opportunity for individuals seeking a better life, and those who are concerned about the exacerbation of nurse shortages in developing countries.

[1] Projected Supply, Demand and Shortages of Registered Nurses 2000-2020. retrieved July 18, 2006 http:/bhpr.hrsa.govhealthworkforce/reports/mprojevt/efault.htm.