Internationally educated nurses' reflections on nursing communication in Canada

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Immigrant Health
• Cross-Cultural Communication

Background:

• Global nurse migration necessitates tailored educational support.
• Internationally educated nurses (IENs) often require enhanced language and professional training.
• Bridging programs aim to facilitate IENs' integration into new healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore IENs' perceptions of English language and nursing communication requirements in a Canadian bridging program.
• To identify challenges IENs face in meeting Canadian nursing practice standards.
• To understand IENs' experiences with academic English and Canadian nursing communication.

Main Methods:

• Grounded theory approach utilized.
• 22 participants from the Philippines, Nigeria, and Europe were enrolled.
• Narratives of IENs in bridging education were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Participants reported incongruence in professional norms between Canada and their home countries.
• Key themes included cultural dissonance, academic literacy difficulties, and skepticism about communication expectations.
• Challenges in adapting to new educational and professional regulatory requirements were identified.

Conclusions:

• IENs exhibit varied understanding and acceptance of new requirements.
• Culture shock is a common aspect of immigration, impacting IENs' adjustment.
• Recognizing IENs' perceptions is crucial for their successful integration into Canadian nursing culture.