Does Being a Visible Minority Matter? Predictors of Internationally Educated Nurses’ Workplace Integration

Abstract

Study Background Nurses continue to migrate to Canada. Majority are visible minorities. Once employed, internationally educated nurses can struggle to integrate into their workplaces. A comprehensive understanding of factors that support internationally educated nurses’ workplace integration is lacking, limiting our ability to design appropriate policies and practices. Purpose The aim is to (1) examine internationally educated nurses’ perceptions of the extent to which they have integrated in their workplaces and the individual and contextual factors that supported their workplace integration, (2) explore whether internationally educated nurses’ perceptions differed by visible minority status, and (3) identify the key factors that predict internationally educated nurses’ workplace integration. Methods Cross-sectional survey of 1215 internationally educated nurses. All were immigrants, permanent residents, and employed as regulated nurses. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the influence of individual and contextual factors on perceived degree of workplace integration. Results Visible minority status had a large, statistically significant negative association with workplace integration ( ß = −0.236, p <  .001). Good relationships with coworkers ( ß =0.043, p <  .005), and continuing to develop nursing knowledge and skills ( ß =0.178, p <  .003), had statistically significant, positive associations with workplace integration. Conclusions Internationally educated nurses’ visible minority status can influence their workplaces. Providing education, managerial support, and mentorship fosters internationally educated nurses’ workplace integration.