Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences

An In-Depth Analysis of Causes Behind Migration in Iranian Operating Room Nurses

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Elham Samali 1
Behzad Imani 2

1 Student Research Committee, Department of Operating Room, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

2 Department of Operating Room, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

10.34172/jqr.1561
Abstract
Background: Migration among operating theatre nurses can adversely affect both the healthcare system and the quality of services provided. Therefore, researching this area is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative design with a content analysis approach. Data were collected from March 2024 to July 2024. Operating theatre nurses were selected for inclusion through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants, continuing until data saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis, and the validity and reliability of the findings were assessed using the Lincoln and Guba criteria.
Results: One key theme was identified: systemic dilemmas. This was further divided into three categories: economic issues, burnout, and unethical behaviors.
Conclusion: Operating room nurse migration is a complex issue for healthcare organizations, driven by economic issues, burnout, and unethical behaviors. To address this, organizations should implement strategies focused on fair financial practices, workload support, and ethical standards. This holistic approach can enhance nurse retention, improve patient care, and strengthen the healthcare system. Supporting nurses fosters a positive work environment and reduces turnover.

Highlights

Behzad Imani (PubMed) (Google Scholar)

Keywords

Migration
Operating room technicians
Qualitative research
  1. World Health Organization (WHO). State of the World’s Nursing 2020: Investing in Education, Jobs and Leadership. Geneva: WHO; 2020.
  2. Pressley C, Newton D, Garside J, Simkhada P, Simkhada B. Global migration and factors that support acculturation and retention of international nurses: a systematic review. Int J Nurs Stud Adv. 2022;4:100083. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2022.100083.
  3. World Health Organization (WHO). Nursing and Midwifery. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/ detail/nursing-and-midwifery.
  4. Eaton J, Baingana F, Abdulaziz M, Obindo T, Skuse D, Jenkins R. The negative impact of global health worker migration, and how it can be addressed. Public Health. 2023;225:254-7. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.09.014.
  5. Bludau H. Global healthcare worker migration. In: Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Anthropology. Oxford University Press; 2021.
  6. Li H, Nie W, Li J. The benefits and caveats of international nurse migration. Int J Nurs Sci. 2014;1(3):314-7. doi: 10.1016/j. ijnss.2014.07.006.
  7. Chandra A, Willis WK. Importing nurses: combating the nursing shortage in America. Hosp Top. 2005;83(2):33-7. doi: 10.3200/htps.83.2.33-37.
  8. Kingma M. Nurses on the Move: Migration and the Global Health Care Economy. Cornell University Press; 2018.
  9. Czaika M, Bijak J, Prike T. Migration decision-making and its key dimensions. Ann Am Acad Pol Soc Sci. 2021;697(1):15- 31. doi: 10.1177/00027162211052233.
  10. Drennan VM, Ross F. Global nurse shortages-the facts, the impact and action for change. Br Med Bull. 2019;130(1):25- 37. doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldz014.
  11. Hashish EA, Ashour HM. Determinants and mitigating factors of the brain drain among Egyptian nurses: a mixed-methods study. J Res Nurs. 2020;25(8):699-719. doi: 10.1177/1744987120940381.
  12. Rashidi N, Amiri F, Ramezanpoor E. Correlation between operating room supervisors leadership style and operating room technologists self-efficacy. J Health Promot Manag. 2020;9:52-8. doi: 10.21859/jhpm.090107.
  13. Brown JS, Gomez N, Harper M, Olivares R. Combating the nursing shortage: recruitment and retention of nephrology nurses. Nephrol Nurs J. 2023;50(1):49-53. doi: 10.37526/1526-744x.2023.50.1.49.
  14. Tongco MD. Purposive sampling as a tool for informant selection. Ethnobot Res Appl. 2007;5:147-58.
  15. Graneheim UH, Lundman B. Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Educ Today. 2004;24(2):105- 12. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2003.10.001.
  16. Anney VN. Ensuring the quality of the findings of qualitative research: looking at trustworthiness criteria. J Emerg Trends Educ Res Policy Stud. 2014;5(2):272-81.
  17. Alibudbud R. Addressing the burnout and shortage of nurses in the Philippines. SAGE Open Nurs. 2023;9:23779608231195737. doi: 10.1177/23779608231195737.
  18. Lawal L, Lawal AO, Amosu OP, Muhammad-Olodo AO, Abdulrasheed N, Abdullah KU, et al. The COVID-19 pandemic and health workforce brain drain in Nigeria. Int J Equity Health. 2022;21(1):174. doi: 10.1186/s12939-022-01789-z.
  19. Aspden TJ, Silwal PR, Marowa M, Ponton R. Why do pharmacists leave the profession? A mixed-method exploratory study. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2021;19(2):2332. doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2021.2.2332.
  20. Tribby KV, Isaacson MJ. “We’re not valued, we’re not heard”: voices of seasoned nurses in a rural state following the onset of COVID-19. ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 2024;47(3):233-47. doi: 10.1097/ans.0000000000000490.
  21. Abdollahi T, Pedram Razi S, Pahlevan D, Yekaninejad MS, Amaniyan S, Leibold Sieloff C, et al. Effect of an ergonomics educational program on musculoskeletal disorders in nursing staff working in the operating room: a quasi-randomized controlled clinical trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(19):7333. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17197333.
  22. Motie M, Arsalani N, Mohammadi Kalaveh S, Mortezanasab M, Jenabi Ghods M, Fallahi-Khoshknab M. Exploring the global nurses’ migration phenomenon: a narrative review. Nurs Midwifery J. 2024;22(1):1-15. doi: 10.61186/unmf.22.1.1.
  23. Melnyk BM, Tan A, Hsieh AP, Gawlik K, Arslanian-Engoren C, Braun LT, et al. Critical care nurses’ physical and mental health, worksite wellness support, and medical errors. Am J Crit Care. 2021;30(3):176-84. doi: 10.4037/ajcc2021301.
  24. Candido C, Marzban S, Haddad S, Mackey M, Loder A. Designing healthy workspaces: results from Australian certified open-plan offices. Facilities. 2020;39(5-6):411-33. doi: 10.1108/f-02-2020-0018.
  25. Cleary M, Hunt GE, Horsfall J. Identifying and addressing bullying in nursing. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2010;31(5):331- 5. doi: 10.3109/01612840903308531.
  26. Klingler C, Marckmann G. Difficulties experienced by migrant physicians working in German hospitals: a qualitative interview study. Hum Resour Health. 2016;14(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s12960-016-0153-4.
  27. Teymoori E, Zareiyan A, Babajani-Vafsi S, Laripour R. Viewpoint of operating room nurses about factors associated with the occupational burnout: a qualitative study. Front Psychol. 2022;13:947189. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.947189.
  28. Cohen JD. The aging nursing workforce: how to retain experienced nurses. J Healthc Manag. 2006;51(4):233-45. doi: 10.1097/00115514-200607000-00006.
  29. Quek SJ, Thomson L, Houghton R, Bramley L, Davis S, Cooper J. Distributed leadership as a predictor of employee engagement, job satisfaction and turnover intention in UK nursing staff. J Nurs Manag. 2021;29(6):1544-53. doi: 10.1111/jonm.13321.
Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Volume 14
Pages 1-7

  • Receive Date 23 February 2025
  • Revise Date 05 May 2025
  • Accept Date 07 August 2025

Home page

Submit Manuscript

Guide for Reviewers

Contact Us