There has been a surge in Indian nursing talent seeking international roles, revealed a report by Indeed, a global hiring and matching platform. According to recent data, there has been a significant increase of 38 per cent in job searches for “nurse” jobs from India with an interest in global opportunities, spanning the last three years from October 2020 to 2023.
The McKinsey Frontline Workforce Survey emphasizes nurses’ drive to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. However, trends like early retirements, limited new entrants, and career shifts contribute to a worldwide shortage of nursing professionals. The exacerbated talent scarcity, intensified by pandemic-induced burnout, leads to extended work hours due to limited staffing. Many nurses are turning to gig work for flexibility instead of direct hospital employment.
Steady annual rise
India witnessed a steady annual rise in job seeker interest in going abroad for “nurse” roles: A 4% increase from October 2020-21, a 9% surge from October 2021-22, and an impressive 22% rise from October 2022-23.
States are organizing job fairs to engage nursing enthusiasts, offering a gateway to explore global opportunities. On average, Indian nurses earn 2.6 lakhs per annum, and job fairs accompany attractive monetary incentives.
Countries like Germany collaborate with Indian organizations to encourage overseas education, fostering future employment prospects. The US, UK, Canada, and Japan proactively invite Indian nurses to work, presenting promising initiatives to address the ongoing healthcare crisis.
“Amid global workforce concerns, witnessing rising interest among Indian nurses in global roles is remarkable. Collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives are vital to fortify the global healthcare landscape. By embracing global opportunities, nurses not only alleviate staffing shortages but also enrich their professional journey,” said Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales at Indeed India.
For nurses, international roles offer several advantages including negotiating higher salaries and gaining valuable international experience that elevates their career growth.