Adapting to a new culture: A study of the expectations and experiences of Filipino nurses in the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust

Abstract

Many UK hospitals are recruiting nurses increasingly from overseas to alleviate acute shortages. Nurses recruited from the Philippines were chosen for this study because they form the largest group of overseas nurses recruited to the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust and they are required to undertake an adaptation programme before achieving Nursing and Midwifery Council registration to practise. The study explores the expectations and experiences of nurses from the Philippines and ascertains whether their expectations match their experiences

Following ethical approval, 120 questionnaires were distributed. Data were collected from 45 of the questionnaires and eight semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked the reasons for their migration, their experiences of recruitment, pre-arrival expectations, their thoughts of the trust's adaptation programme, and their good and bad experiences. They were also asked to evaluate the opportunities they were given for training and career development in the trust.

Differences emerged between respondents' high expectations of nursing and living in the UK and their actual experiences. The majority described their financial expectations as being unmet. Many of their experiences were good, but some experienced certain problems during recruitment and in their clinical areas. Some participants also experienced what they perceived as racial discrimination from patients and colleagues.

It was concluded that participants had high expectations of earning more money, of having a higher standard of living and of gaining professionally, but that unmet expectations could lead to dissatisfaction, affect attitudes and behaviour and promote eventual resignation from the organisation. The majority of the ward managers were regarded as being friendly and supportive, and the trust's adaptation programme was thought to be invaluable. However, recipients of discrimination and indifference are reluctant to report incidents, but host staff and recruits can learn from each other and gain mutual benefit.