Emigration and job security: An analysis of workforce trends for Spanish‐trained nurses (2010–2015)

Abstract

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri butio n-NonCo mmerc ial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. AbstractAim: To analyse the relationship between Spanish nurses' intention to migrate and job security.Background: Nursing emigration from Spain increased dramatically between 2010 and 2013. By 2015, emigration had returned to 2010 levels.Methods: Single embedded case study. We examined publicly available statistics to test for a relationship between job security and applications by Spanish nurses to have credentials recognized for emigration purposes.Results: Between 2010 and 2015, job security worsened, with poor access to the profession for new graduates, increased rate of professional dropout, increased nursing jobseekers and falling numbers of permanent contracts. Conclusions:The number of accreditation applications in Spain in 2010 and 2015 was very similar, but job security worsened on a number of fronts. The distribution of work through part-time contracts aided retention. Implications for nursing management:Policymakers and health care administrators can benefit from understanding the relationship between mobility, workforce planning and the availability of full-time, part-time and short-term contract work in order to design nursing retention programmes and ensure the sustainability of the health care system. K E Y W O R D Semigration and immigration, job security, nurses, precarious work, Spain, statistical indicators, workforce

Job Insecurity in Nursing: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…Next, for a more in-depth study of job insecurity, we selected the papers in which job insecurity is a central topic (13, marked with * in the reference list). Most studies focused on the consequences of job insecurity in nursing (N = 7 papers): increased migration to other countries to find better work conditions [ 19 ], increased psychosocial stress [ 30 ], musculoskeletal disorders and stress [ 44 ]. Others refer to negative work attitudes, and reduced satisfaction, psychological well-being, and hospital performance [ 45 ].…”

“…These findings represent some progress in the international nursing field, as bibliometric studies on job insecurity have been lacking to date. Job insecurity is also a crucial aspect for consideration given its consequences, especially among nurses, including increased migration to other countries to find better working conditions [ 19 ], psychosocial stress [ 30 ], depression and anxiety [ 46 ], musculoskeletal disorders [ 44 ], blood pressure and cardiovascular symptoms [ 47 ], and poorer performance in the hospital [ 45 ].…”

“…The contribution of nurses to global health is undisputed, and investing in improving their quality-of-life benefits society [ 18 ]. Job insecurity among nurses has also been associated with migration to other countries [ 19 ] in search of higher salaries and a better quality of life. It has also been linked to worsening health conditions for nurses and increasing burnout, stress and vulnerability [ 20 , 21 ], lower job satisfaction levels [ 22 ].…”

“…It also aims to establish the most widely used instruments for measuring job insecurity, and the main causes and consequences of job insecurity among nurses [ 29 ]. As a result of the lack of studies of this type, we believe that it could be very useful for health policymakers and health managers in all countries and regions to design programs to retain nurses and ensure the sustainability of health care systems [ 19 ], improve nursing processes and working conditions [ 30 ].…”

Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on stress, resilience and depression in health professionals: a cross‐sectional study

“…Spain does not comply with standard care recommendations, with >2 patients per nurse (Cruz Lendinez et al, 2019). For years, high unemployment, bad working conditions and the economic crisis have resulted in major workforce losses through the emigration of nurses (Galbany‐Estragués et al, 2019).…”