Challenges of Iranian Migrant Nurses: A Qualitative Insight into their Experiences Abroad
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the migration of Iranian nurses has significantly increased. They are faced with various professional and social challenges during their transition. This study explored these challenges faced by Iranian migrant nurses in three primary destination countries: Germany, Denmark, and Australia. Materials and Methods: This study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of 20 Iranian migrant nurses (8 in Australia, 8 in Denmark, and 4 in Germany). Data were collected via semi‑structured, audio‑recorded online interviews conducted between April and August 2024. Each interview lasted approximately 45 minutes. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method, supported by MAXQDA software. Results: Analysis revealed four main themes reflecting complex challenges faced by Iranian migrant nurses: Professional Transition Challenges, Economic Vulnerability, and Cultural and Social Dislocation. Professional Transition Challenges included unrecognized prior qualifications, diminished professional competencies, limited opportunities for advancement, and language‑related difficulties in professional and clinical communication. Economic Vulnerability involved financial strain due to high living costs and economic instability, substantial expenses related to visas and exams, and negative impact of currency fluctuations. Cultural and Social Dislocation was marked by difficulties in cultural adaptation, value conflicts, experiences of discrimination, and strained interactions. Psychological and Emotional Strain included persistent loneliness, homesickness, anxiety, and identity disruption. Conclusions: The findings highlight the complex challenges faced by Iranian migrant nurses and emphasize the need for targeted support policies in host countries. Addressing issues like ethical recruitment, financial support, and language training can facilitate their integration and improve healthcare outcomes in host countries.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Buchan J, Calman L. The Global Shortage of Registered Nurses: An Overview of Issues and Actions. Geneva: International Council of Nurses; 2004.
Gostin LO. The international migration and recruitment of nurses: Human rights and global justice. JAMA 2008;299:1827-9.
Simoens S, Villeneuve M, Hurst J. Tackling Nurse Shortages in OECD Countries. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; 2005.
World Health Organization. Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016.
Efendi F, Mackey TK, Huang MC, Chen CM. IJEPA: Gray area for health policy and international nurse migration. Nurs Ethics 2017;24:313-28.
Didbaniran News Agency. The immigration statistics of Iranian nurses have doubled. Available from: https://www.didbaniran.ir/fa/tiny/news-198909. [Last accessed on 2025 Mar 18].
Kamali M, Niromand Zandi K, Ilkhani M, Shakeri N, Rohani C. The relationship between job satisfaction and desire to emigrate among the nurses of public hospitals in Tehran. J Health Admin 2020;23:11-6.
Heidari A, Shah Bahrami M, Koochak F, Khatirnamani Z. Desire for emigration and its relationship with social capital among nurses working in teaching hospitals in Golestan, Iran. Payesh (Health Monitor) 2023;22:301-12.
Iranian Nursing Organization. Nurse shortage: An ongoing challenge in healthcare systems. Available from: http://ino.ir/1/1578/1316. [Last accessed on 2025 Mar 10].
Kordes J, Pütz R, Rand S. Analyzing migration management: On the recruitment of nurses to Germany. Soc Sci 2020;9:19.
Zander-Jentsch B, Busse R. Relief for nursing staff? Minimum staffing requirements in hospitals. CNE Pflege Management. 2018;5:6-9.
Prognos AG. Nursing care landscape 2030: A study by Prognos AG commissioned by the vbw – Bavarian Business Association. Munich: Prognos AG; 2012.
The Local Denmark. Almost one in eight nurses leave Danish health service. June 20, 2023. Available from: https://www.thelocal.dk/20230620/almost-one-in-eight-nurses-leave-danishhealth-service. [Last accessed on 2025 Feb 18].
Health Workforce Australia. Australia's future health workforce: Nurses – detailed report. Canberra: Department of Health; 2014. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/03/nurses-australia-s-uturehealth-workforce-reports-detailed-report.pdf. [Last accessed on 2025 Feb 10].
Shorey S, Ng ED. Examining characteristics of descriptive phenomenological nursing studies: A scoping review. J Adv Nurs 2022;78:1968-79.
Praveena KR, Sasikumar S. Application of Colaizzi's method of data analysis in phenomenological research. Medico-Legal Update 2022;21:2800.
Pressley C, Newton D, Garside J, Simkhada P, Simkhada B. Global migration and factors that support acculturation and retention of international nurses: A systematic review. Int J Nurs Stud Adv 2022;4:100083.
Kurniati A, Chen CM, Efendi F, Ogawa R. A deskilling and challenging journey: The lived experience of Indonesian nurse returnees. Int Nurs Rev 2017;64:494-501.
Nortvedt L, Lohne V, Dahl K. A courageous journey: Experiences of migrant Philippine nurses in Norway. J Clin Nurs 2020;29:468-79.
Alexis O, Vydelingum V. The experiences of overseas black and minority ethnic registered nurses in an English hospital: A phenomenological study. J Res Nurs 2005;10:459-72.
Zhou Y, Windsor C, Theobald K, Coyer F. The concept of difference and the experience of China-educated nurses working in Australia: A symbolic interactionist exploration. Int J Nurs Stud 2011;48:1420-8.
Nursalam N, Chen CM, Efendi F, Has EMMA, Hidayati L, Hadisuyatmana S. The lived experiences of Indonesian nurses who worked as care workers in Taiwan. J Nurs Res 2020;28:e78.
Pung LX, Goh YS. Challenges faced by international nurses when migrating: An integrative literature review. Int Nurs Rev 2017;64:146-65.
Moyce S, Lash R, de Leon Siantz ML. Migration experiences of foreign educated nurses: A systematic review of the literature. J Transcult Nurs 2016;27:181-8.
Adhikari R, Melia KM. The (mis) management of migrant nurses in the UK: A sociological study. J Nurs Manag 2015;23:359-67.
Bayuo J, Abboah-Offei M, Duodu PA, Salifu Y. A meta-synthesis of the transitioning experiences and career progression of migrant African nurses. BMC Nurs 2023;22:104.
Burner OY, Cunningham P, Hattar HS. Managing a multicultural nurse staff in a multicultural environment. J Nurs Adm 1990;20:30-4.
Al-Hamdan ZM, Al-Nawafleh AH, Bawadi HA, James V, Matiti M, Hagerty BM. Experiencing transformation: The case of Jordanian nurses immigrating to the UK. J Clin Nurs 2015;24:2305-13.
Brunton M, Cook C. Dis/Integrating cultural difference in practice and communication: A qualitative study of host and migrant registered nurse perspectives from New Zealand. Int J Nurs Stud 2018;83:18-24.
Efendi F, Chen CM, Nursalam N, Indarwati R, Ulfiana E. Lived experience of Indonesian nurses in Japan: A phenomenological study. Japan J Nurs Sci 2016;13:284-93.
Smith CD, Fisher C, Mercer A. Rediscovering nursing: A study of overseas nurses working in Western Australia. Nurs Health Sci 2011;13:284-91.
Neiterman E, Bourgeault IL. Cultural competence of internationally educated nurses: Assessing problems and finding solutions. Can J Nurs Res 2013;45:88-107.
Xu Y, Gutierrez A, Kim SH. Adaptation and transformation through (un) learning: Lived experiences of immigrant Chinese nurses in US healthcare environment. Adv Nurs Sci 2008;31:E33-47.
Zhong Y, McKenna L, Copnell B, Zhao W, Moss C. Professional adaptation experiences of Chinese migrant nurses in Australia: A qualitative study. West J Nurs Res 2023;45:626-33.
Philip S, Woodward-Kron R, Manias E. Overseas qualified nurses' communication with other nurses and health professionals: An observational study. J Clin Nurs 2019;28:3505-21.
McGrath P, Henderson D, Holewa H. Language issues: An important professional practice dimension for Australian international medical graduates. Commun Med 2013;10:191-200.
Limpangog CP. Resuming the "skilled worker" identity: The Filipinas' strategies in labor market participation in Melbourne, Australia. Kritika Kultura 2016;26:523-607.
Stankiewicz G, O'Connor M. Overseas qualified nurses in Australia: Reflecting on the issue. Aust J Adv Nurs 2014;31:32-8.
Woodbridge M, Bland M. Supporting Indian nurses migrating to New Zealand: A literature review. Int Nurs Rev 2010;57:40-8.
Walters H. The experiences, challenges and rewards of nurses from South Asia in the process of entering the Australian nursing system. Aust J Adv Nurs 2008;25:95-105.
Higginbottom GM. The transitioning experiences of internationally-educated nurses into a Canadian health care system: A focused ethnography. BMC Nurs 2011;10:14.
O'Brien T, Ackroyd S. Understanding the recruitment and retention of overseas nurses: Realist case study research in National Health Service hospitals in the UK. Nurs Inq 2012;19:39-50.
Likupe G, Archibong U. Black African nurses' experiences of equality, racism, and discrimination in the National Health Service. J Psychol Issues Organ Cult 2013;3:227-46.
Crawford T, Roger P, Candlin S. Are we on the same wavelength? International nurses and the process of confronting and adjusting to clinical communication in Australia. Commun Med 2016;13:263-75.
Tie YC, Birks M, Francis K. Playing the game: A grounded theory of the integration of international nurses. Collegian 2019;26:470-6.
Brunton M, Cook C, Kuzemski D, Brownie S, Thirlwall A. Internationally qualified nurse communication-A qualitative cross-country study. J Clin Nurs 2019;28:3669-79.
Connor JB, Miller AM. Occupational stress and adaptation of immigrant nurses from the Philippines. J Res Nurs 2014;19:504-15.
Montayre J, Holroyd E. The global Filipino nurse: An integrative review of Filipino nurses' work experiences. J Nurs Manag 2018;26:338-47.
Zanjani ME, Ziaian T, Ullrich S. Challenges and experiences of overseas qualified nurses adjusting to new roles and health care systems: A narrative review of the literature. Singapore Nurs J 2018;45:7-16.
Newton S, Pillay J, Higginbottom G. The migration and transitioning experiences of internationally educated nurses: A global perspective. J Nurs Manag 2012;20:534-50.
Javanmard M, Steen M, Vernon R, Newnham E. Experiences of internationally qualified midwives and nurses in Australia and other developed nations: A structured literature review. Evidence Based Midwifery 2017;15:95-100.
Ryan JG. Adjusting to the United States Healthcare Workplace: Perceptions of Internationally Born and Educated Registered Nurses [doctoral dissertation]. Chester, PA: Widener University; 2010.
Jose MM. A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Foreign Educated Nurses Working in the United States of America [doctoral dissertation]. Galveston, TX: University of Texas Medical Branch; 2008. Available from: https://utmb-ir.tdl.org/items/62a78a89-1c2b-46f5-9a74-8584f43a4add.
Chicca J, Bindon S. New-to-setting nurse transitions: A concept analysis. J Nurses Prof Dev 2019;35:66-75.
Ke YT, Stocker JF. On the difficulty of finding one's place: A qualitative study of new nurses' processes of growth in the workplace. J Clin Nurs 2019;28:4321-31.
Stuart P. Overseas nurses' experience as support workers in the UK. Nurs Res Care 2012;14:660-3.
Smith JB, Herinek D, Woodward-Kron R, Ewers M. Nurse migration in Australia, Germany, and the UK: A rapid evidence assessment of empirical research involving migrant nurses. Policy Polit Nurs Pract 2022;23:175-94.
Stokes F, Iskander R. Human rights and bioethical considerations of global nurse migration. J Bioethical Inquiry 2021;18:429-39.
Mehr News Agency. Economic challenges of 2,000 Iranian nurses in Denmark. Available from: https://www.mehrnews.com/x387kx. [Last accessed on 2025 June 23].
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.