International recruitment of nurses into social care - how do we ensure a good experience for all?
30 May 2024
6 min read
We hear four different perspectives on how we can ensure a good experience for international nurses recruited in social care. These are taken from a video discussion we held in December 2023.
International nurse recruitment in social care is challenging due to complex regulatory requirements, ethical considerations and ensuring nurses are adequately qualified to deliver great care. We wanted to share how employers are ensuring a good experience when recruiting internationally.
Ruth French, Operations Director, Stow Healthcare
Stow Healthcare is a private residential care group that operates a collection of nursing, residential and memory care homes in the East of England. Ruth French, Operations Director, shared her experience having recruited international nurses into social care.
Initially, Ruth had no knowledge of international recruitment, but over two years, Stow have become a licensed sponsor, and she has since worked to sponsor 17 internationally educated nurses and carers.
Her journey began with obtaining a sponsor license, a relatively quick process, followed by a more complex and learning-intensive period. Ruth said that in many cases, the English language qualifications are the most challenging element of recruiting international nurses.
She also shared that they recruited directly, avoiding agencies due to concerns about unethical practices and high fees. Instead, they relied on contacts and speculative applications.
I have heard some really worrying stories about agencies... I would say unless you can verify for yourself the ethical operations of an agency, I would be quite wary, because I have heard of people being charged an awful lot of money to come to the UK and it isn't necessary to pay that.
Ruth also highlighted the importance of providing accommodation and support for the new recruits, noting that finding rental accommodation can be difficult.
We've actually put in place accommodation hubs at two of our homes where we're able to accommodate people when they arrive for the first few months. After that, sometimes it's been really tricky for people to get rental accommodation. So do have a look in your area and think about what would happen if your staff couldn't find rental accommodation after say three months.
Lilian Uchechukwu, Registered Nurse, Stow Healthcare
Lilian Uchechukwu, Registered Nurse at Stow Healthcare, shared her experience as an internationally recruited nurse.
Her director prepared her for cultural and logistical differences, including challenges with transportation, the weather and the different approach to life in a foreign country.
She emphasises the importance of support from her employer and colleagues, which included emotional, physical, and educational assistance, such as training and help with accommodation, which she found particularly challenging to secure.
Despite initial difficulties, Lillian found the experience rewarding, noting the strong support system, friendships formed, and smooth transition overall, leading her to feel like part of a family rather than a stranger.
I just feel like family, that's how I see myself. I don't see myself as a stranger in the company. I see myself as family and everything has been, my transitioning has been, so smooth and wonderful.
Paulette Lewis, President Caribbean Nurses and Midwives Association
Paulette Lewis, President of the Caribbean Nurses and Midwives Association, shared her experiences supporting international nurses, midwives, and healthcare professionals.
She stated that international recruits face significant challenges, especially those working in nursing and residential homes. Issues include inadequate preparation for their roles, insufficient inductions, and difficulties with language and record-keeping.
But what you need to do very clearly, as an employer, as a prospective employer is to think about what is your induction, your orientation pack and program going to look like? What information is necessary to go in there?
Paulette notes that many international recruits face issues with understanding their contracts and job security. Some experience early termination and subsequent loss of accommodation, leaving them vulnerable.
The other thing is the contracts. We know some people are given very good contracts, they're very clear, they do understand, and they do go through that with the international nurses and carers. Some don't. So, when they start working, they don't fully understand the contracts. Some are terminated even before six months. Some of them are terminated and the accommodation is taken away at the same time as well.
Paulette also states that there is a need for better understanding and implementation of HR policies. Misunderstandings and misapplications of roles and responsibilities can lead to unjust disciplinary actions.
Paulette emphasises the need for extended induction periods, clear and supportive contracts, better preparation of communities and staff, and improved understanding of HR policies to ensure the successful integration and retention of international healthcare workers.
Maurina Baron, Vice President, Caribbean Nurses and Midwives Association
Maurina Baron, Vice President of the Caribbean Nurses and Midwives Association, shared her thoughts on the challenges of ensuring international nurses have a good experience.
Maurina states that one of the biggest challenges is with accommodation, which is largely due to the reluctance of landlords to rent to them and the high costs of rental properties.
We've had situations where they were only offered accommodation for two weeks, four weeks, and then they had to go out there house hunting in London, and you know what the housing situation is like in London…All the usual challenges of landlords not wanting to rent to them, getting deposits, and the overall cost of accommodation.
Maurina also suggested that supporting international nurses with getting to know their new surroundings should be a priority of providers.
One of the things that we did last summer was to organise a London tour if you like, just to help some of our international educated nurses and midwives acclimatise to the UK culture. So, we actually took them on a bus tour so that they can get to know London, they can get to know other internationally educated practitioners.
Watch the webinar to hear their stories in full.
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