Labor trafficking of migrant registered nurses

Author: Speck, Patricia; Sanchez, Rosario; Montgomery, Aoyjai; Mitchell, Stacey; Ekroos, Rachell; Loan, Lori; Ladores, Sigrid & Milstead, Jeri

Abstract: Labor trafficking of registered nurses (RNs) in the USA impedes justice by denying inalienable human rights and equal economic opportunities. Nursing shortages in developed countries, poverty, social upheaval, and government actions influence migration, as do other factors related to determinants of health. Migrant RNs are visa workers, displaced, refugees, immigrants, or asylum seekers. Labor traffickers target vulnerable migrant RNs seeking employment outside their home country. Unlike ethical recruiters, traffickers lure migrant RNs into indentured contracts in work environments that result in health-threatening conditions, long shifts, and exorbitant fines that threaten families with financial retribution. The purpose of the paper is to raise awareness. Authors explain the background of influences and nuances in migrant RN labor trafficking. Identifying labor traffickers’ deceitful, coercive, fraudulent, and illegal methods, assist organizational approaches for establishing Total Worker Health, trauma-informed care, coordinated community response, and No Door Closed actions when wanting to mitigate or eradicate labor trafficking of migrant RNs.

Keywords: labor trafficking, migrant nurses, total worker health, trauma-informed care, coordinated community response, No Door Closed