Workplace Integration of Internationally Educated Nurses

Policy makers and administrators have recognized that internationally educated nurses (IENs) are a valuable resource for healthcare organizations to leverage in order to deliver culturally competent quality care and to ensure a stable workforce. While IENs have been part of the Canadian nursing workforce for some time, their integration in the workplace over the long term has not been studied. Most of the research on IENs is focused on the early phases of navigating through the regulatory process, getting oriented to Canadian nursing and adapting to the workplace. What constitutes workplace integration of IENs and how the organizational context influences integration, is not well understood. This research involved a qualitative case study approach informed by critical social theory, within the context of an exemplar healthcare organization. This study addresses gaps in nursing knowledge by offering a definition of workplace integration and a greater understanding about the role of employers in facilitating integration of IENs.