International nurse migration: U-turn for safe workplace transition

Area of Science:

• Nursing Workforce Studies
• Healthcare Management
• Immigration Policy

Background:

• Globalization is increasing the migration of nurses worldwide.
• Existing research often focuses on pre-licensure challenges for internationally educated nurses (IENs).
• Fewer studies address the post-licensure integration barriers IENs encounter in host countries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the experiences of IENs transitioning into the Ontario nursing workforce.
• To identify specific barriers and challenges faced by IENs after initial registration.
• To inform policy and management regarding IEN workforce integration and patient care.

Main Methods:

• Empirically grounded qualitative study.
• Focus on IENs who entered the Ontario workforce between 2003 and 2005.
• Analysis of IEN experiences regarding professional practice, patient roles, language, and social integration.

Main Results:

• IENs perceive nursing practice as significantly different from their home countries.
• Key differences include professional expectations and patient/family involvement in decision-making.
• English language fluency issues cause stress and cognitive fatigue; feelings of being an 'outsider' are common.

Conclusions:

• IENs face unique challenges adapting to new nursing environments beyond initial registration.
• Addressing these barriers is crucial for supporting IENs and ensuring safe patient care.
• Policy and management strategies must consider the multifaceted integration needs of migrant nurses.