Overseas nurses' experiences of equal opportunities in the NHS in England
Journal of Health Organization and Management
ISSN: 1477-7266
Article publication date: 1 March 2006
Abstract
Purpose
To explore the experiences of overseas black and minority ethnic nurses in the National Health Service (NHS) in the south of England.
Methods
Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted with 12 overseas black and minority ethnic nurses. All interviews were taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. All transcripts were read and re‐read to elicit general themes.
Findings
Qualitative data analysis was undertaken using Van Manen framework and this enabled a number of themes to be identified that were part of overseas black and minority ethnic nurses' experience, however, two main themes would be discussed in this study. Firstly, unequal opportunities in career advancement and secondly, unequal opportunities for skill development and training. Both themes affected overseas nurses chances of promotion in the NHS.
Research limitation/implications
The study has identified a notably gap in the implementation of equal opportunity policies and suggests that a more transparent implementation of such policies is needed in the NHS in the UK where this study was conducted. Additionally, more research is needed to determine whether overseas nurses in other areas experience similar problems.
Practical implications
The findings of this study could encourage managers to re‐examine their equal opportunity policies in the light of these findings. Although this study has explored overseas nurses experiences, the findings cannot be generalised to the wider population.
Originality value
The differences experienced by overseas nurses in relation to career opportunities and skill development and training.
Keywords
Citation
Alexis, O., Vydelingum, V. and Robbins, I. (2006), "Overseas nurses' experiences of equal opportunities in the NHS in England", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 130-139. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777260610661529
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited