Examining Workplace Practices Used to Facilitate Successful Integration of Internationally Educated Nurses Into Acute...

Although the recruitment of internationally educated nurses (IENs) seems to be an effective strategy to sustain a diversified nursing workforce, challenges with transition to practice continue to be documented in the literature. Prelicensure bridging programs purport to facilitate practice readiness; however, IENs who complete these programs also experience difficulties. Little is known about tailored workplace-based bridging programs. This scoping review maps out our current understanding of IEN integration and education strategies implemented within acute care settings and identifies areas for further research.

Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) five-step scoping review was used to explore current literature and highlight gaps based on the needs of IENs during transition into acute care.

Two themes were identified: the need for tailored clinical practice bridging programs within acute care settings and the impact of corporate involvement and social structures on IEN integration.

Inconsistencies in IEN integration practices point to the significance of implementing tailored, workplace-based bridging programs to ensure safe and full scope of practice. [.