Nurse Manager Perspectives about Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and Hiring Practices in Long-Term Care

Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) are an integral part of Canada’s workforce. In a qualitative study, seven Nurse Managers from long-term care facilities in British Columbia were interviewed about their perceptions and experiences with IENs, and how these influenced their hiring practices. Three themes emerged: Acknowledging the Complexities, Finding the “Right Fit”, and Navigating Differences. Conclusions were that Nurse Managers: 1) Compared IENs to newly graduated nurses, 2) Generally preferred hiring Canadian educated nurses over IENs, 3) Perceived IENs as being ready to practice, but failed to acknowledge their nursing education and experience, 4) Perceived IENs as a homogenous group, 5) Preferred hiring IENs with positive attitudes, clear communication skills, and Canadian nursing experience, 6) Were unware of current licensing guidelines, 7) Used no established hiring guidelines, and 8) Possessed a positive ‘gut feeling” about new hires. Recommendations for nursing education, management, and research are made based on these conclusions.