How Do Chinese Migrant Nurses Construct Their Identities While Living in Australia?

Purpose: Identity is to know ‘who’s who’ (and hence ‘what’s what’). Identity affects human experience and influences action. People cannot live routine lives as humans without knowing who they are. It is likely that migrant nurses undergo a search for self in their new contexts, in some of the same ways as their native colleagues. However, migrant nurses are likely to confront additional challenges when trying to find their sense of self and place in the world within alien socio-historical, cultural, spiritual, and environmental contexts. It is critical to uncover the tensions and contradictions of what it means to be a migrant nurse, and for nursing educators to take practical steps to guide them in a positive direction.

This study applied Giddens’ identity theory to examine identity, and influencing factors, of Chinese migrant nurses in Australia. The objective of the study was to understand how past selves and identities of Chinese migrant nurses interacted with current social situations in Australia, and what was developed further for the individual and his/her self and identity.

Methods:

(1) Theoretical framework: The study combined Giddens’ theory of modernity and self-identity with theory of structuration to direct concept development, research questions and data analysis. Giddens’ theory of structuration has attracted considerable attention in various areas of social sciences, and within structuration theory as the general theoretical point of departure, Giddens developed his theory of modernity and self-identity. These theories provide a sophisticated explanation of how people construct self-identity in modernity and offer insights into how to examine the connections between individual and society, between identity and structure, within a socio-historic context.

(2) Research design: Narrative inquiry was used in this research. People form narratives as a process while constructing and reconstructing their identities. Storytelling is integral to sharing and understanding lives.

(3) Data Collection: This study was undertaken in the socio-cultural context of Australia and employed snowball sampling to recruit participants. Based on Giddens’ theories, this study viewed identity as a reflexive project of self and a developmental process that links the past with the anticipated future. In-depth interviews were used to generate narrative data on the identities of Chinese migrant nurses. In total, 17 Chinese nurses who worked in Australia were interviewed between February and June of 2017. The interviews were conducted in English or Chinese, dependent on the participant’s choice.

(4) Data analysis: Each interview was transcribed verbatim as soon as possible after the interview was conducted, and transcripts of Chinese interviews were translated fully into English. Textual analysis was guided by Giddens’ theories. Giddens’ theories direct attention in analysis to how the person reflects on themselves and their experience, what significant transitions in life (identity) have taken place as they have experienced life events and what life choices the person made, how the person manages interactions between opportunities and risks, how the person is achieving coherence in everyday life, how things changed with time and how personal growth is identified.

Results: The findings reveal the identities of Chinese migrant nurses as internally and externally interacting with the world. Identity is sociological as well as psychological. Chinese migrant nurses created and sustained their identities by reflections on themselves and their experiences. In these reflections, they achieved coherence in everyday life, which was important to a continuing sense of ontological security. The participants changed with time, and they could identify their personal growth. Significant transitions in life and in identity took place as Chinese migrant nurses experienced life events. The migrant nurses were responsive to new demands and new possibilities when there were risks or opportunities coming into life. The life choices the migrant nurses made and their management of risks and opportunities were related to their fundamental identities, and concerned their future plans. These choices also had consequences for further identity development in the migrant nurses.

Conclusion: Negotiating identities is not simply about who Chinese migrant nurses are but about who they can become as Chinese Australians. Chinese migrant nurses’ identities and voices must be heard, valued and counted if they are to fully live as themselves in their host country. The study will offer some direction for health policy, and for nursing educators and leaders in their efforts to provide appropriate, effective and acceptable support to migrant nurses in their transition. Much more is required than provided by transitional programs or other education. Preceptorship schemes should be strengthened to provide clinical and emotional support. Establishing social networks of friends and professional colleagues will also be beneficial. The research will also have implications for policies that seek to achieve cultural safety and integration of migrants.