'Thank you for telling our story’: An exploration of the needs of migrant nurses undergoing competence assessment for New Zealand registration

Abstract

The New Zealand health care system is heavily dependent on the inflow of internationally qualified nurses. It is becoming increasingly important to understand this group, to be able to attract, retain and develop this essential component of the health care system. While interest has been shown by the research community towards these nurses, this enquiry sought to give them a voice, to let them express what they felt their needs were and therefore to empower them as a previously undervalued and unheard group in nursing in New Zealand; it sought to tell their story. The aim of this research enquiry was to understand the needs of nurses migrating to New Zealand – providing an opportunity for international nurses to provide their voice and perspective on what they need from new colleagues and therefore become empowered to succeed. A case study methodology was used, following the emancipatory and constructivist paradigms. The case in the present work-based enquiry was the international nurse who entered the competence assessment process and nurse workforce. Two groups were investigated: newly arrived candidates for NZ nurse registration and international NZ registered nurses who were already working here. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The investigation revealed that international nurses had their own perspective on what they needed in order to be successful. Suggestions were gained around Competence Assessment Programme content. Responses were compared to the Maslow hierarchy of needs framework and a new model called the Prism Model of Migrant Nurse Needs was created. This study has revealed new and significant information about how migrant nurses can be supported to succeed, both during their initial process of assessment and when they join the nurse workforce. The health care system in New Zealand is heavily dependent on international nurses. By better understanding their needs, international nurses can be more effectively supported to succeed during their professional assessment and employment in the healthcare sector.