Lived Experiences of Turkish Internationally Educated Nurses: A Phenomenological Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Sociology
• International Migration Studies

Background:

• The international mobility of the nursing workforce is a growing global phenomenon.
• Türkiye has experienced a significant increase in nurses seeking overseas employment opportunities.
• Understanding the experiences of these migrating nurses is crucial for policy and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the lived experiences of Turkish internationally educated nurses (IENs).
• To identify the key factors influencing their decision to migrate.
• To explore the positive and negative aspects of their migration journey.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological research design was employed.
• Data were collected via in-depth, individual online interviews with 16 Turkish IENs.
• Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes from the interview data.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: push factors for migration, pull factors attracting nurses abroad, positive post-migration experiences, and negative post-migration experiences.
• Migration to higher-income countries generally improved professional and personal lives.
• Significant challenges and difficulties were also encountered by Turkish IENs.

Conclusions:

• The international migration of Turkish nurses presents a dual reality, offering substantial opportunities for growth alongside considerable challenges.
• Policies and support systems should address both the facilitators and barriers of nurse migration.
• The findings highlight the complex interplay of factors influencing the international nursing workforce dynamics.