Emigration of Polish Nurses – Reality and Consequences (Emigracja polskich pielegniarek – rzeczywistosc i konsekwencje)

The emigration of medical personnel in Poland significantly increased in 2004 after Poland’s accession to the European Union. The aim of the paper is to present the results of a questionnaire survey, conducted on a sample of 166 nursing students, regarding plans for emigration after graduation. An attempt was made to recognize the scale and causes of this phenomenon, as well as events that could result in the resignation of future nurses from emigration plans. The presentation of the results of the survey was preceded by a review of theories describing the causes of migratory movements, data on the current number of Polish nurses, and characteristics of their population. About 75% of nursing students surveyed (regardless of their place of origin and year of study) declared their willingness to work abroad. Among the reasons for a possible trip abroad, respondents most often indicated favorable financial conditions, higher living standard, greater comfort of work, low prestige of the profession in Poland, more career opportunities, gaining experience, and current political situation in Poland. Certainly, prevention of emigration should consist in activities that produce quick results such as, for example, increasing salaries, finding other material and non-material benefits to make the profession more attractive, improving working conditions, ensuring flexible working hours or part-time employment, vocational mobilization of retired or economically inactive nurses. It is also necessary to carry out long-term actions aimed at a health care reform.