The transition of nursing graduates with foreign background into Finnish working culture : a qualitative research

Abstract

The healthcare field especially in nursing has seen a spike in demand over the years. International migration of nurses has always been a way of people to find a job and improve their economic condition. (Zolot, 2019.) However, the global flow of health workers leads to other problems such as adapting to a new language, environment and culture. The purpose of this study is to describe the transition of foreign background nurses from Lamk University of Applied Sciences and to find out their experiences into Finnish working environment. The aim of this study is to find out how the foreign nurses working in Finland were adapting to the Finnish working culture through the provision of information and how they succeed in dealing with the challenges at the Finnish working environment. The study identified the promoting factors and challenges that they begin facing during their transition into Finnish working Culture as well as how they find solutions to cope with the situation.

A qualitative research method was used by the authors to conduct this study. The method included in-depth interviews with chosen participants. The participants’ experiences were documented and later analyzed using inductive content analysis, gathering dominant patterns in the data that addressed the research questions. The study implied that the experiences were challenging at the beginning. Nevertheless, it was a good and enjoyable experience. Integration, language and communication, socio-cultural challenges and adjustment, mentorship Language and communication were identified as the major problem for the challenges faced by foreign nurse in Finland.

Nevertheless, the possible solutions that were further indicated in the study will be a helpful tool for nurses of non-Finnish descent as they venture and pursue their nursing career in Finland.