Background: Internationally educated nurses (IENs) have become a significant source of nursing supply as a result of nursing workforce shortages, the aging population and patient acuity. However, IENs face substantial delays and barriers obtaining licensure and employment equivalent to their skills and experience. When IENs are unable to practice their profession, they experience a considerable loss of professional identity, earning potential and financial stability. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map key themes in the existing literature on the barriers and strategies to timely nursing registration for IENs.
Methods: Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework was used for this study. Seven electronic databases were searched along with several grey literature sources in order to capture articles that discussed barriers and strategies to timely nursing registration for IENs. A numerical and thematic analysis was conducted to explore the scope of the literature and to present the findings.
Results: After full-text screening, 38 pieces of relevant literature were selected for inclusion in the review. The majority (53%) were studies and most (42%) were qualitative. Seven key themes emerged from the thematic analysis: timely information, credential assessment, obtaining documents, language requirements, nursing registration costs, bridging programs and the nursing registration exam.
Conclusion: While some IENs are able to successfully navigate the process for obtaining nursing licensure, it is clear that many IENs face obstacles at every step of the process and some never become registered as nurses. Further research is required about whether the various bridging programs and initiatives meet the needs of IENs and help them become registered as nurses. Findings from this scoping review have significant implications for nurse staffing and policies and practices to improve the strength, stability, and diversity of the nursing workforce. / Thesis / Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) / This study explores the literature on internationally educated nurses (IENs) and the difficulties they face, as well as the strategies they use to obtain nursing registration. Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was used to guide this scoping review. Seven databases were searched along with many grey literature sources in order to find articles on barriers and strategies to nursing registration for IENs. A numerical and thematic analysis was conducted to present the findings. Seven main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: timely information, credential assessment, obtaining documents, language requirements, nursing registration costs, bridging programs and the nursing registration exam. More research is required about whether the various bridging programs and initiatives meet the needs of IENs and help them become registered as nurses. Findings from this study are important for nurse staffing and policies and practices to improve the stability and diversity of the nursing workforce.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/26926 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | D'Mello, Nikita |
| Contributors | Baumann, Andrea, Nursing |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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