Leading the Way to Successful Internationally Educated Nurse Integration - CARE Centre for Internationally Educated...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Nursing Integration
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Internationally educated nurses (IENs) are crucial for healthcare sustainability, yet integration support often overlooks workplace roles.
• A funded program was developed in Ontario to prepare employers and IENs for successful integration into the Canadian healthcare system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a workplace integration program (WIP) designed to prepare employers and IENs for integration into the Canadian healthcare workforce.
• To assess the effectiveness of program components for employers, nursing leaders, interprofessional teams, and IENs.

Main Methods:

• Co-design of the WIP with employer partners and IENs, incorporating lived experiences and feedback.
• Mixed-methods evaluation using participant surveys after each session.
• Continuous evaluation of program components by participating healthcare organizations.

Main Results:

• Over 90% of participants found WIP strategies useful for supporting IEN integration into interprofessional teams.
• The program enhanced participants' abilities in IEN recruitment strategies and client- and family-centered care.
• 22 organizations and nearly 1,000 individuals participated between January 2024 and the end of 2025.

Conclusions:

• The WIP offers practical strategies for integrating and retaining IENs.
• Ongoing evaluations facilitate continuous improvement and adaptation to meet organizational needs.
• The program strengthens the capacity of healthcare workplaces to support IENs.