Foreign Nurses Cultural Preparation: How to survive and thrive in a new culture

With all these challenges, foreign educated nurses possess amazing resilience and commitment to quality nursing practice.

What can you do as a foreign nurse to ensure that you are going to survive and thrive in this new environment?

First of all, "know before you go". Learn all you can about your intended destination. When talking to friends who have been there, ask not only about the positive but also the negative issues so you can learn and prepare for them adequately.

Ask your recruiter or prospective employer what kind of cultural preparation and acculturation support they provide pre-departure, upon arrival, and any continuing support program.

Even if you think that you are adjusting very well to the new culture and work situation, there might be family issues back home that would prove to require more resources than you can muster, especially now that you are not there to deal with the situation. Prepare for family contingencies before you leave. Discuss possible scenarios with your family and how they should be handled in your absence.

Make sure you have social support networks established in the community where you will be living and practicing. If there are nurses from your country already working in the facility, ask for their contact information and start communicating with them before arrival.

Be informed about issues of diversity, prejudice, and discriminatory work practices. Find out how to access resources on immigration information, labor practices, nurse organizations for support, immigrant organizations, etc.

Take advantage of any cultural training programs that are available. You do not have to do it all by yourself. In order to succeed in overcoming these challenges competently, seek support and learn from others who have been there before.

"You can't direct the wind but you can adjust the sails."
--Anonymous