The experiences of overseas nurses working in the NHS: results of a qualitative study

There is a long tradition in the UK of recruiting migrant labour into the NHS to fill nursing vacancies (Buchan, 1999). The recruitment of nurses from overseas has increased in recent years as part of a Department of Health drive to redress staff shortages. There are now more than 35 000 new overseas nurses who have registered since 2000 (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2004). These nurses make a valuable contribution to patient care and services but their experience of working in the NHS is not always positive. Current health policy places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion and requires organisations to recognise that the contribution overseas nurses make to the UK goes far beyond overcoming nursing shortages (Department of Health, 2000). For instance, the Diversity Adviser for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stresses the importance of both individuals and the organisation seeking ‘to be more inclusive, while at the same time recognising and valuing the worth of being different’ (Bussue, 2002, p.22). This means that overseas nurses should be treated ‘with due regard to real differences of experience, background and perception’ (Runnymede Trust, 2000). This paper presents the findings of a study that examined the experiences of nurses recruited from overseas and draws attention to the ways in which their skills and expertise were either unrecognised or devalued.