The Experiences of International Nurses

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The international mobility of the nursing workforce is increasing. One nurse out of every eight now works in a country where they were not born or trained. International nurses play a vital role in the NHS. This study focuses on the workplace experiences of international nurses who have trained outside of the EU. In recent years there have been increasing numbers of nurses from outside of the European Union (EU) registering to work in the UK, notwithstanding the number of nurses from European countries continues to decline as the UK prepares to leave the EU. There is currently a global shortage of nurses. Drivers for UK recruitment of international nurses are founded in shortages of nurses related to increased health care demand, emphasis on safe staffing levels, expenditure on agency nurses and too few commissions for nurse training places, meaning that not enough nurses are entering the NHS. These factors are further exacerbated by staff retention levels and high staff turnover. Nurses' motives to leave their home countries are complex, and gaps in our understandings remain. Possible drivers for migrating to the UK or pull factors may include career progression, postgraduate training opportunities, work environment, sensitive employment policies, and economic benefits which enable nurses to send money back to their home countries, while push factors have been identified as limited education, lack of health care resources, dangerous working conditions and political instability.

Official Title
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A Qualitative Study Exploring The Experiences Of International Nurses Working In The NHS

Conditions
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Nurse's Role, Recruitment

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Focus group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Phase 1 International nurses recruited via the fellowship scheme and external recruitment agencies. International nurses who have trained in countries outside of the EU. International nurses who have been living in the UK between six months and two years. The international nurses will be employees of RWT Phase 2 • Health Care Assistants and Qualified Nurses (Band 5-7) who alongside with international nurses. Exclusion Criteria: International nurses who trained in the EU. International nurses who have lived in the UK for less than 6 months.
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Focus Groups with International Nurses<br>It is anticipated that there will be four focus groups, each comprised of 6-8 participants | Other: Focus group<br>* Focus group<br>|
| Interviews with Nursing Staff<br>Interviews with qualified and unqualified staff who work with international nurses | Other: Focus group<br>* Focus group<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The findings of the study will identify factors influencing the experiences of internationally recruited nurses working in the NHS | To identify factors influencing the experiences of internationally recruited nurses working in the NHS | 6 months | 
| The findings may also suggest ways in which RWT can further support international nurses to ensure successful professional and social integration. | To suggest ways in which RWT can further support international nurses to ensure successful professional and social integration. | 6 months | 
| This support could be put in place to benefit the local teams, patients and services. | To benefit local teams, patients and services. | 6 months |