title: Determinants of intention to work abroad of college and specialist nursing graduates in Serbia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In a country with a poor economy and limited job opportunities, the outmigration of students is not commonly perceived as a problem but rather is perceived as a solution to the high unemployment facing young health professionals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Study objectives were to identify the prevalence of intention to work abroad of nursing graduates to point to the predictors of intention to work abroad and predictors of having a firm plan to work in a foreign country.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study, a survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  College and specialist nursing schools, Serbia.
  
  
  METHODS
  719 nursing graduates from the 2012/2013 school year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Voluntarily completed a questionnaire that was designed with regard to similar surveys administered in EU-candidate countries during the pre-accession period. Data were analysed with descriptive and multivariate regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost 70% (501) of respondents indicated an intention to work abroad. Of the nurses, 13% already had established a firm plan to work abroad. Single graduates and those with a friend or relative living abroad were more likely to consider working abroad than were their counterparts (odds ratios were 2.3 and 1.7, respectively). The likelihood of considering working abroad decreased by 29% when the individuals' financial situation was improved. Factors associated with having a firm plan were previous professional experience in a foreign country, having someone abroad and financial improvement (5.4 times, 4.8 times and 2 times greater likelihood, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high prevalence of intention to work abroad suggests the need to place the issue of the out-migration of nursing graduates on the policy agenda. College and specialty nursing graduates and health technicians are prepared to work abroad in search of a better quality of life, better working conditions and higher salaries.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; Centre - School of Public Health, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: msantric@med.bg.ac.rs.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santric-Milicevic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; Centre - School of Public Health, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Matejic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; Centre - School of Public Health, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Terzic-Supic
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Mathematics, Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, Kamenicka 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vasic
authors.affiliation: Clinical Center of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Babic
authors.affiliation: High School for Health Vocational Studies in Belgrade, Cara Dusana 254, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vukovic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D064700:Nurses, International; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000191:economics*; D055771:Serbia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Development; Education; International migration; Nursing Serbia specialties; Nursing health personnel intention; Planning; Unemployment