The English-speaking Caribbean nations comprise a second scenario.
Most of these countries have fairly well-developed U.K.-style national health
systems and historically have reported nurse to population ratios relatively
higher than many other developing nations. The region’s ties to the
United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, however, have made these
countries natural destinations for Caribbean nurses seeking further education
and for recruiters seeking English-speaking nurses. Current nurse to population
ratios range from 1.65 in Jamaica to 4.7 in Bahamas per 1,000 population
(WHO 2006). Salmon et al. (2007) report in this issue that vacancy rates
for budgeted nurse positions have reached almost 59 percent in Jamaica and
53 percent in Trinidad. The governments of Caribbean countries have responded
to the nurse brain drain with innovative strategies to increase the
status of nursing in the region, and to manage migration through agreements
with recruiters.