Survey finds strong interest in overseas nursing careers among students

Overseas employment is emerging as a career consideration for a growing number of Indian nursing students and graduates, with South India accounting for the majority of enquiries recorded by global talent mobility platform TerraTern.

According to a survey based on more than 2,500 enquiries received by the organisation over the past year, around 90–95% of enquiries from nurses exploring overseas opportunities came from South India. Kerala and Tamil Nadu were the largest source markets, together contributing about 65% of enquiries. Karnataka accounted for around 15%, while Telangana contributed approximately 12%.

The remaining states accounted for less than 8% of enquiries, despite being home to a substantial share of India’s nursing colleges. The figures indicate a regional concentration in interest in overseas nursing opportunities, although enquiries do not necessarily translate into applications, employment or migration.

The survey also found that younger candidates formed a larger share of enquiries. About 65% came from final-year students or graduates below the age of 25, compared with 48% in the previous year. Around 35% were from candidates with professional experience in areas including intensive care, operation theatres, emergency care, neonatal and paediatric care, and geriatric and long-term care.

The findings also point to interest in healthcare professions beyond nursing. Physiotherapy enquiries represented about 5% of the total, with more than 120 applicants compared with around 2,500 nursing enquiries. Germany was identified as one of the destinations being explored by candidates in this field.

The lower number of physiotherapy enquiries may indicate comparatively limited awareness of international career pathways among students and graduates in the profession. Physiotherapists may find roles in areas such as rehabilitation, mobility support and elderly care, depending on qualification recognition and local requirements.

Divyansh Chaudhari, Founder, TerraTern, said the enquiries indicate that young healthcare professionals are considering overseas career options at an earlier stage. He also pointed to the relatively lower interest from physiotherapy candidates as an area where awareness of available pathways could be expanded.

For candidates considering Germany, language proficiency, recognition of qualifications and documentation are among the requirements that need to be addressed before seeking employment. The specific requirements can vary according to profession, qualification and role.

Overall, the survey reflects a strong regional concentration in enquiries about overseas nursing careers and a growing interest among younger candidates. It also highlights differences in awareness across healthcare professions, with nursing continuing to account for the vast majority of enquiries.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arti Adke

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Arti Adke, hailing from a respectable family with strong principles, pursued her passion for journalism. She is a Senior Sub-Editor and Senior Reporter, leading the Education and Food pages. Arti's journey in our organization continues to thrive as she strives for journalistic excellence.

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