Adapting across borders: Indonesian nurses' experiences in KSA

The aim of this study was to explore the life experiences of Indonesian nurses living and working in KSA.

This qualitative study used a descriptive phenomenological qualitative design based on Colaizzi's method. The study included 20 Indonesian nurses who had lived and worked in KSA for a minimum of 1 year, and were recruited from hospitals. Data collection was conducted over a 1-month period in January 2024. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in appropriate settings and transcribed for analysis.

Four themes emerged: motivation for overseas employment; cross-cultural challenges; differences in nursing practices and professional standards; and benefits of living and working abroad. Among these themes, cross-cultural challenges, particularly in terms of communication, were perceived as complex issues by both patients and coworkers.

The results of this study highlight the need for additional support for Indonesian nurses living in KSA, particularly regarding communication challenges. In addition, these findings have implications for workforce policies in both KSA and Indonesia, particularly regarding the preparation, support, and retention of migrant nurses.