In a time when global health systems are grappling with chronic workforce shortages and complex migration patterns, the Filipino Nursing Diaspora (FiND) Network convened a timely and insightful webinar titled “Workforce Motivation and Retention among Migrant Nurses in Regional Australia.” The session brought together nursing leaders, educators, migrant nurse advocates, and students across the Philippines, UK, Australia, and Canada to examine the opportunities and challenges faced by internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) working in regional and rural healthcare settings.
The virtual event, held in partnership with St. Anthony’s College, Pacific Nursing Service Organization, and the World Continuing Education Alliance, featured keynote speaker Dr. Princess Villamin, an after-hours manager at St. John of God Hospital in Western Australia and a casual academic at Edith Cowan University. With over 16 years of diverse nursing experience in both clinical and academic settings, Dr. Villamin presented her recent doctoral research on the retention of migrant nurses in Australia.
“Retention is not just about keeping nurses employed—it’s about valuing their contributions, integrating their identities, and ensuring they are supported both professionally and personally,” Dr. Villamin emphasized. “Migrant nurses bring not only their skills but also their stories, resilience, and hopes. If we want to build a sustainable workforce in regional Australia, we must listen to them and act.”
Opening the Dialogue
The webinar began with recorded opening remarks from Dr. Aris Kendell Bungabong, Dean of the Nursing Program at St. Anthony’s College-Antique, who was attending the ADPCN conference in Bacolod at the time. He highlighted the timeliness and urgency of the conversation.
“This issue could not be more relevant—at a time when health systems around the world face workforce shortages and changing migration dynamics, sustaining a motivated nursing workforce in regional and rural settings becomes a critical challenge and opportunity,” she stated.
Dr. Bungabong’s message resonated strongly with the audience, many of whom came from rural communities themselves or aspired to serve in underserved areas.
A Global Perspective from Canada
Adding a global perspective, Ruth Wojtiuk RN, MEd, Professional Practice Lead at the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses in Canada, shared reflections drawn from her six decades in the nursing profession.
“Thank you for the opportunity to join this important conversation. I bring warm greetings from Canada and feel honored to share insights from my 60-year nursing journey—many of those years dedicated to supporting internationally educated nurses (IENs),” she said. “While my experiences are rooted in the Canadian context, we face shared challenges globally. The integration and retention of IENs are not only critical to sustaining our healthcare systems—they are also key to fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable nursing workforce.”
Her message resonated with participants from across the globe, reinforcing the value of international collaboration in addressing workforce sustainability and equity in healthcare. the importance of transnational collaboration in addressing nurse migration and retention.
Inspiration and Commitment
The webinar concluded with an inspirational recorded message from Dr. Patria Manalaysay, President of the Pacific Nursing Service Organization, currently based in Spain.
“At the Pacific Nursing Service Organization, we remain deeply committed to advancing dialogue, research, and action that center the voices of our migrant nurses,” Dr. Manalaysay declared. “May today’s session lead us all to become better advocates, partners, and leaders in shaping the future of nursing.”
Her message called on participants to move beyond discussion and into collective action—something the FiND Network and its global partners are keen to champion.
Looking Ahead
Facilitated by Dr. Jerome Babate, Executive Director of the FiND Network, the event ran smoothly with high engagement during the open forum. Participants expressed gratitude for the evidence-based insights and practical strategies shared, as well as the emotional resonance of the migrant nurse stories.
As global and regional health systems continue to navigate the complexities of workforce retention, events like this reaffirm the need for evidence, empathy, and advocacy—rooted in the lived realities of migrant nurses who continue to serve with excellence far from home.
