Factors influencing the transition of foreign-educated nurses to the US healthcare setting: A systematic review

Joicy B Thomas; Mikyoung A Lee

doi:10.1111/inr.12862

Factors influencing the transition of foreign-educated nurses to the US healthcare setting: A systematic review

Int Nurs Rev. 2023 Jul 18. doi: 10.1111/inr.12862. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Joicy B Thomas¹, Mikyoung A Lee²

Affiliations

¹ College of Nursing, Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas, USA.
² Professor, Doswell Endowed Chair for Informatics and Healthcare Transformation, College of Nursing, Texas Woman's University, Dallas, Texas, USA.

PMID: 37463664
DOI: 10.1111/inr.12862

Abstract

Aim: This literature review examined the impact of the orientation or onboarding programs on the transition of foreign-educated nurses to a US healthcare setting and factors influencing their transition.

Background: Recruitment of foreign-educated nurses has been a solution to the ongoing nursing workforce shortage in the United States. However, they face various challenges in their transition to employment in the United States. Adequate orientation and continued support are needed for the successful transition of foreign-educated nurses.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in 2022 across PubMed, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE databases. This review selected only articles published between 2015 and 2022 in English that addressed foreign-educated nurses' transition issues in US healthcare settings. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The quality of the articles was appraised using the John Hopkins Evidence-based Practice tool.

Results: This review of 14 articles revealed that the quality of orientation and organizational support were positively associated with foreign-educated nurses' job satisfaction and turnover. Factors influencing foreign-educated nurses' transition included peer support, job assignment and workload, credentialing, communication and cultural adjustment, psychological factors, safety perceptions, work environment, and coping strategies.

Discussion: There was a lack of literature that evaluated orientation or onboarding programs for foreign-educated nurses. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of supportive programs in promoting their smooth transition.

Implications for nursing practice and policy: Efficient onboarding or orientation programs and policies for foreign-educated nurses are crucial, considering the factors influencing their transition. Good programs and policies that prioritize the support, integration, and professional development of FENs will help maximize their contributions to health care.

Keywords: Transition; foreign professional personnel; foreign-educated nurses; international nurses; onboarding; orientation.

Publication types

Review