The Experiences of International Nurses

A Qualitative Study Exploring The Experiences Of International Nurses Working In The NHS

The international mobility of the nursing workforce is increasing. One nurse out of every eight now works in a country where they were not born or trained. International nurses play a vital role in the NHS. This study focuses on the workplace experiences of international nurses who have trained outside of the EU. In recent years there have been increasing numbers of nurses from outside of the European Union (EU) registering to work in the UK, notwithstanding the number of nurses from European countries continues to decline as the UK prepares to leave the EU. There is currently a global shortage of nurses. Drivers for UK recruitment of international nurses are founded in shortages of nurses related to increased health care demand, emphasis on safe staffing levels, expenditure on agency nurses and too few commissions for nurse training places, meaning that not enough nurses are entering the NHS. These factors are further exacerbated by staff retention levels and high staff turnover. Nurses' motives to leave their home countries are complex, and gaps in our understandings remain. Possible drivers for migrating to the UK or "pull factors" may include career progression, postgraduate training opportunities, work environment, sensitive employment policies, and economic benefits which enable nurses to send money back to their home countries, while "push" factors have been identified as limited education, lack of health care resources, dangerous working conditions and political instability.

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Recruitment; Nurse's Role
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Focus group

• Study Type: Observational

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, WV10 0QP
    • The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

International nurses, HCAs and Qualified Nurses who fit the inclusion criteria

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Phase 1

• International nurses recruited via the fellowship scheme and external recruitment agencies.
• International nurses who have trained in countries outside of the EU.
• International nurses who have been living in the UK between six months and two years.
• The international nurses will be employees of RWT

Phase 2

• Health Care Assistants and Qualified Nurses (Band 5-7) who alongside with international nurses.

Exclusion Criteria:

• International nurses who trained in the EU.
• International nurses who have lived in the UK for less than 6 months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Focus Groups with International Nurses; It is anticipated that there will be four focus groups, each comprised of 6-8 participants	Other: Focus group; Focus group
Interviews with Nursing Staff; Interviews with qualified and unqualified staff who work with international nurses	Other: Focus group; Focus group

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The findings of the study will identify factors influencing the experiences of internationally recruited nurses working in the NHS	To identify factors influencing the experiences of internationally recruited nurses working in the NHS	6 months
The findings may also suggest ways in which RWT can further support international nurses to ensure successful professional and social integration.	To suggest ways in which RWT can further support international nurses to ensure successful professional and social integration.	6 months
This support could be put in place to benefit the local teams, patients and services.	To benefit local teams, patients and services.	6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): August 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): February 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 3, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 3, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): May 6, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 23, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 22, 2025
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2021NUR118

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No