?Factors Influencing the Choice of a Healthcare Career in Medicine and Nursing among Emiratis Abstract.

?Factors Influencing the Choice of a Healthcare Career in Medicine and Nursing among Emiratis
Abstract.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been experiencing a rampant shortage of nurses and other medical practitioners particularly those of UAE origin for the past few decades. This is attributed to the fact that most of the UAE nationals are not willing to pursue careers in the healthcare sector due to numerous factors an aspect that has forced the country to rely on expatriate medical practitioners. The purpose of this dissertation is to establish the factors that influence the choice of a healthcare career in medicine and nursing among Emiratis as well as propose possible initiatives that can be implemented to encourage UAE nationals pursue careers in the healthcare sector. The study is conducted using a qualitative research approach whereby the primary data collection instrument used is phenomenological interviewing and supplemented by collection of data from secondary sources. Findings made in this study reveal that low remunerations inadequate training facilities and poor public perception about the nursing profession among others are the leading preventative factors. As a result the study has proposed a review of the medical practitioners salaries establishment of more training medical centres and launching a national wide campaign to sensitize the public about the important roles played by nurses in the economic development of UAE among other initiatives as a way of encouraging more Emiratis pursue careers in the healthcare sector.