Paper
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Transitioning to International Nursing Practice
Barbara L. Nichols, DHL, MS, RN, FAAN1, Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN2, and Catherine R. Davis, PhD, RN1. (1) Administration, Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, Philadelphia, PA, USA, (2) Governance, Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| Learning Objective #1: identify the challenges facing international nurses and their employers.
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| Learning Objective #2: discuss successful transition strategies that promote the safe and competent delivery of nursing care across national borders.
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Global migration is a reality of the twenty-first century. Nurses crossing international borders will continue to increase as the demand for nurses worldwide continues to grow. Yet practicing across borders challenges not only the migrating nurse but also the nurse’s employer and the staff in the host institution. Issues such as cultural competence, assertiveness, language proficiency, skills assessment and use of technology often create stumbling blocks to a successful transition. In addition, the nurse and the employer often have differing expectations of the transition and a different concept of the type of environment that will support safe patient care. This presentation will describe the challenges of practicing across borders as identified by migrating nurses, their employers and their colleagues. It will discuss the characteristics of a successful transition program that not only meets the needs of the nurse and the employer but also ensures the safe delivery of patient care.