Speaker
Description
Background: Recruitment of internationally educated nurses (IENs) is a longstanding health human resource strategy. The current state of our nursing crisis has led to increased recruitment of IENs (Nji-Mokonya, 2018). Though the recruitment of IENs is gaining popularity, there remains a lack of a clear pathway for these nurses to transition back to practice (Kurup et al., 2023). Instead, IENs are met with various obstacles and challenges that threaten the successful integration of IENs into the Canadian nursing workforce (Lee & Wojtiuk, 2021).
The TBRHSC is currently experiencing a major gap in effective orientation and onboarding of IENs. During the initial application and hiring phase, IENs can be seen as getting lost within the system. The current orientation process impedes a smooth transition back to practice and integration into the workplace. Additionally, the IEN receives insufficient resources, educational materials and follow-up. This has been detrimental to IEN success and TBRHSC retention rates.
Methods: Pre-screening interview questions and a communication and collaboration simulation were designed, implemented, and evaluated.
Results: The pre-screening interview questions provided a greater understanding of IEN skills variation and transfer, IEN’s perception of the nurses’ role, and the reality of nursing in Canada. The communication and collaboration simulation allowed the IENs to practice various communication skills and use of communication tools to facilitate communication and collaboration.
Conclusion: Effective transition of IENs back into practice and integration into the workplace requires one foot in acknowledgement and the other in possibility. Organizations must then not only be open to change but also committed to the successful transition and integration of IENs. The pre-screening interview questions along with the communication and collaboration simulation are steps in the right direction. These efforts foster a more supportive practice environment that will not only attract but also retain IENs at the TBRHSC.
Author(s) Credentials and Title
Sarah Lynne Myllyaho, RN BScN
Nursing Practice Leader
Professional Practice
What RNAO BPG or tool/toolkit is this work related to:
Leading change toolkit especially the Knowledge to Action Framework.
Keywords
internationally educated nurses; foreign nurses; clinical competence; transition to practice; integration; Northwestern Ontario
| Organization Name | Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre |
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