Internationally qualified nurses’ perceptions of the competencies that pertain to patient safety

Abstract

Internationally qualified nurses represent 25% of the New Zealand nursing workforce, similar to Australia, Canada, the US and UK. The transition from vastly different health systems can have implications for patient safety. Through understanding the perspectives of internationally qualified nurses, educational and healthcare agencies may be better able to support this transition. This study investigated internationally qualified nurses' perceptions of the competencies that pertain to patient safety. These were analysed alongside the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) competencies designed to define and measure competence for patient safety. Qualitative case studies of four internationally qualified nurses were discussed using Communities of Practice theory as the conceptual framework. The primary data sources were two semi-structured interviews with each of the internationally qualified nurses during a Competency Assessment Programme to obtain New Zealand nursing registration. Competency Assessment programme documents also provided data. Thematic analysis of the individual cases followed by cross-case analysis revealed that the social, cultural, and historical context of the health system and nursing role mediates how maintaining patient safety is perceived and enacted in practice. Recommendations from the findings of this study are important for ongoing internationally qualified nurses’ transition support.