Internationally Educated Nurses’ Perceptions of Interprofessional Collaboration

Abstract

Internationally educated nurses’ (IENs) transition to practice in a new country is facilitated by education programs, commonly known as “bridging programs.” IENs experiences and understanding of interprofessional collaboration, essential in today’s health care environment, is often overlooked in education and research. Therefore, this mixed methods study sought to understand the experiences of IENs enrolled in a practical nursing bridging program at an urban community college in Canada. Findings indicate a need to address IENs’ understanding of interprofessional collaboration in their entry-to-practice education to optimize their role in the receiving country’s health care system.