Internationally educated nurses’ experiences of recruitment - An ethical perspective

TL;DR

The paper explores the ethical challenges faced by internationally educated nurses during recruitment in Finland and highlights the need for better support systems.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the ethical recruitment experiences of internationally educated nurses in Finland, emphasizing cultural and linguistic barriers.

Findings

Supportive recruitment companies and structured orientation programs were positively experienced by participants.

Unmet contractual promises and inadequate language support were significant challenges reported.

Cultural barriers and difficulties in learning Finnish hindered workplace integration.

Abstract

Background: International migration among nurses in the healthcare workforce has increased significantly, with the number of internationally educated nurses in higher-income OECD countries doubling since 2000. These nurses frequently encounter challenges with competence recognition and obtaining local licences, which can hinder their ability to work effectively. Additionally, they often face misleading job information, discrimination, and exploitation, underscoring the urgent need for ethical recruitment and employment practices.

Aim: The aim is to describe internationally educated nurses’ experiences of recruitment to Finland, focussing on ethical considerations.

Methods: A qualitative study design was employed to explore nurses’ experiences. Data were collected in spring and summer 2024 from 22 internationally educated registered nurses with degrees from outside the EU, who were either working in healthcare or completing a top-up nursing degree in Finland. Content analysis was employed to examine the data, revealing ten key categories associated with ethical recruitment.

Ethical considerations: A research permit was obtained from the university overseeing the study. The researchers ensured that all procedures adhered to ethical research standards, including obtaining participants’ informed consent and maintaining the confidentiality of the data.

Results: The findings revealed a spectrum of experiences, from supportive practices to notable challenges. Key themes emerged related to the recruitment process, linguistic and cultural adaptation, and workplace integration. Positive encounters included supportive recruitment companies and structured orientation programs, while significant difficulties involved unmet contractual promises, inadequate language support, and cultural barriers.

Conclusions: Difficulties with learning Finnish and cultural adaptation impede integration, underscoring the need for employers to provide robust language training and adopt ethical practices. Enhanced support systems are crucial to improving the integration and job satisfaction of internationally educated nurses in Finland.

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