Gupta’s scientific contributions

This chapter examines the changing role of nursing as a career option for young people in Punjab. The paper contextualizes the substantial growth of nursing education institutions in the context of international migration opportunities. Based on survey and interview data gathered at nursing schools and colleges across Punjab, the paper demonstrates how opportunities linked to the global nursing labour market substantially motivate the uptake of the profession in Punjab. The allure of working overseas is not just accounted for by salary differences, but also by the perceived advantages of continued training and career development that overseas employment (particularly in the west) offers. The chapter recommends policy changes in Punjab to enhance the attractiveness of the conditions and career development of nursing in order to compensate for the substantial draw the international market offers trained nurses.