This study examined the influence of socio-economic and demographic
variables on the migration intentions of nursing students. It was a crosssectional
descriptive study. Data was obtained through the administration of
structured questionnaire to students in three nursing schools. The study was
conducted within the context of the neoclassical economic and network theories
of migration. Using logistic regression analysis, the findings of the study
indicate that salary differentials remain important determinants of nurse migration.
Established networks in destination countries also facilitate nurse migration,
even though nurses would still take the risk of migrating in the absence of
networks abroad. Career progression for nurses and securing better education
for children are also prominent determinants of nurse migration. It was also
found that being posted to work in a rural area may even serve as a catalyst to
migrate abroad, as this was the strongest predictor of intention to migrate. The
findings of this study have important implication for human resource development
among nurses in Ghana.