Adaptation Challenges Facing Internationally Educated Nurses

Abstract

This article describes the challenges facing internationally educated nurses working in the United States, combining an extensive literature review with the personal perspectives of a registered nurse from Kenya. An extensive literature search was conducted, and databases were collected and reviewed, while the nurse was participating in an internship at a hospital in a border city in California. Intertwining the personal experiences of the first author with an extensive literature review, the areas of communication, culture shock, nursing roles, and practice and orientation needs are covered. This article reinforces the difficulties faced by internationally educated nurses and makes suggestions for helping them make the adjustment to the US workforce.

Organizational socialization of international nurses in the New York metropolitan area

“…Especially, the international nurses working in the USA have unique challenges when compared with those in other countries, such as professional nursing practice (Yi & Jezewski 2000). However, other challenges, including communication, marginalization, unequal treatment and cultural displacement may be found in many international nurses regardless of their host country (Chege 2010; Flynn & Aiken 2002; Yi & Jezewski 2000). Therefore, the nurse practice implication presented above may be applicable to those international nurses who practice in other countries as well.…”

“…International nurses have unique needs in adapting to a new host culture and workplace (Xu 2008). Major areas of identified needs and challenges include communication, differences in nursing practice, marginalization, unequal treatment and cultural displacement (Chege 2010; Flynn & Aiken 2002; Yi & Jezewski 2000). These challenges affect not only the adaptation experiences of international nurses, but also their retention and the quality of patient care.…”

“…1994). The differences also include increased responsibility and accountability, and greater use of advanced healthcare technology than when they practiced in their home country (Chege 2010). Another challenge is related to cultural differences between their home country and the USA.…”

Examining differences in nurses' language, accent, and comprehensibility in nursing home settings based on birth origin and country of education

“…13 Effective communication is central to the nursing care process, whether it relates to relaying information to providers, interacting with patients and families, or working effectively with other nurses. 15,16 The lack of clear and accurate communication has been reported as a key barrier to effective care with patients across institutions 11 as well as between staff in nursing homes. Furthermore, the nursing profession in the U.S. has its own vocabulary, abbreviations, and writing style that can challenge even nurses whose primary language is English.…”

Clinical Work Experience of Korean Immigrant Nurses in U.S. Hospitals

“…[7], 이주국의 개인주 의적 행동과 태도를 수용하여 팀원들과의 지지체계를 이루는 연구 등이 제시되었다 [11]. 국내의 경우, 미국과 사우디아라비아에 취업 한 한국간호사들을 대상으로 간호실무능력을 조사한 연구에서 전문 적 발전영역이 가장 높은 점수를 나타냈다 [12].…”