Cultural competence of internationally educated nurses: assessing problems and finding solutions

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Integration
• Cultural Competency

Background:

• Professional nursing competency assessment typically focuses on education, credentials, and experience.
• Bureaucratic and clinical competence verification may not align with cultural fit in a new healthcare system.
• Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) face challenges integrating due to cultural differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the challenges of cultural fit for IENs transitioning to a new healthcare system.
• To understand the impact of cultural fitness on the integration of immigrant nurses.
• To identify strategies for improving the integration of IENs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted semi-structured interviews with 71 IENs.
• Interviewed 70 key stakeholders in the Canadian healthcare system.
• Analyzed interview data to identify themes related to cultural fit and integration.

Main Results:

• Lack of cultural fit presents unique challenges for regulatory bodies, IENs, and employers.
• Cultural fitness is a significant factor in the successful integration of immigrant nurses.
• Bridging programs are effective in preparing IENs for the Canadian cultural nursing context.

Conclusions:

• Cultural fit is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of assessing and integrating IENs.
• Regulatory bodies and employers must consider cultural factors alongside clinical competence.
• Bridging programs play a vital role in facilitating the successful transition of IENs into Canadian healthcare.