The effect of fluency in English on the continuing professional development of nurses educated overseas

In the United Kingdom, many nurses who were educated overseas and are not native English speakers are undertaking continuing professional development study within their host country. This study investigated the effect of fluency in English on the teaching and learning of registered nurses undertaking continuing professional development within a health and social care faculty in a U.K. university.

A qualitative, interpretive method was used. Data were obtained through thematic analysis of semi-structured individual interviews with educators, nurses educated in the United Kingdom, and nurses educated overseas who were not native English speakers and were undertaking continuing professional development.

Participants included six educators, six registered nurses who were educated in the United Kingdom, and six registered nurses who were educated overseas and were not native English speakers. Educators resorted to generalizations in describing nurses' teaching and learning characteristics. Classroom dynamics that impeded nurses' learning were reported. Critical thinking, academic success, and integration within the classroom were affected by the ability to research, question, and discuss new or complex continuing professional development topics in English.

Fluency in academic nursing English is necessary for successful continuing professional development. Educators should use and develop strategies to encourage integration in the classroom between nurses who were educated in the United Kingdom and those who were educated overseas and are not native English speakers to support critical thinking and engagement by all participants.