The integration of immigrant nurses at the workplace in Malta: a case study

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the extent to which immigrant nurses have integrated within the Maltese healthcare system. Design/methodology/approach This research consisted of a qualitative case study approach which was conducted within Malta’s four public entities in the secondary care sector. In this case study, data were collected through 34 semi-structured interviews with ten nursing managers, 12 Maltese nurses and 12 immigrant nurses. The data were analysed using content analysis. Data were collected between June 2015 and July 2015. Findings Four themes emerged from the data. These were: human resources management, language barrier, cultural differences and discrimination. The recruitment of nurses to Malta from other countries translated into several positive and favourable outcomes, such as the sharing of knowledge. However, a number of negative and unfavourable outcomes are also indicated in the data including language barrier and discrimination. Research limitations/implications This paper presents a discussion of the issues experienced within a healthcare system in relation to the mobility of nurses. Increasingly, the nursing workforce across the globe comprises of professionals from various nationality, origin, training, culture and professional ethos. The findings are presented in an effort to inform policy makers, management and administrative structures regarding the issues pertaining to the prevalent growing reality of mobility in nurse populations. Originality/value This research study provides a unique contribution to the literature regarding the phenomenon of nurse mobility because it embraces the integration of nurses as a two-way process. Since data was collected from immigrant nurses as well as from local nurses and nursing managers, this study hopes to offer a different point of view from previous studies which largely focused on the views of immigrant nurses only.

Social Processes Affecting the Workforce Integration of First-Generation Immigrant Health Care Professionals in Aging Citizens in the Netherlands

“…We recommend that management of health care institution provide and facilitate guidance to promote and foster good work relations, power equity, and respectful treatment for not only the newcomers, but for all HCPs. The findings in our study confirm the outcomes of previous studies that argue that adequate support of management is important to make workforce integration a truly two-way process (Buttigieg et al, 2018;Kuokkanen et al, 2016;Ramji & Etowa, 2018). In light of our results, two directions for future research can be identified.…”

“…Cultural clashes with colleagues were widely reported. The host colleagues had not been able to bridge the gap between different work cultures either (Buttigieg, Agius, Pace, & Cassar, 2018;Maltby, de Vries-Erich, & Lund, 2016;Putturaj & Prashanth, 2017;Steinmann, 2019;Wachter & Fleischmann, 2018). Intercultural understanding, egalitarianism principles, and positive interactions between immigrant nurses and established nurses are factors which influence positive workforce integration.…”

An exploration of hydration practices in Maltese residential care homes for older people

“…However, language barrier is an added challenge that has received less attention within the context of hydration in the older population. This is a highly significant issue in Malta, in view of the high mobility of nurses and care staff from overseas (Buttigieg et al 2018), in response to the rapid growth of the health sector. Buttigieg et al (2018) identified language barrier between immigrant nurses and Maltese patients who were only fluent in their native language, as one of the commonest issues.…”

Factors Associated With the Recruitment of Foreign Nurses in Japan: A Nationwide Survey of Hospitals

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