The Experiences of International Nurses

NCT05364775 | Withdrawn

• 1 other identifier: 2021NUR118
• Study Type: observational
• Target: N/A
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Nurse's Role; Recruitment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• 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

Study Arms (2)

Focus Groups with International Nurses

It is anticipated that there will be four focus groups, each comprised of 6-8 participants

Other: Focus group

Interviews with Nursing Staff

Interviews with qualified and unqualified staff who work with international nurses

Other: Focus group

Interventions

Focus group OTHER

Focus group

Focus Groups with International Nurses; Interviews with Nursing Staff

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

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

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP, United Kingdom

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Focus Groups

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 3, 2022
• First Posted: May 6, 2022
• Study Start: August 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2024
• Study Completion: February 1, 2024
• Last Updated: July 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

GB (1)