A Courageous Journey of a Foreign-Born Intensive Care Unit Nurse in Finland: A Narrative Case Study

Abstract

Finland is facing a severe shortage of nurses. While uncommon, the deportation of a foreign-born nurse could exacerbate this already critical situation. However, research on the deportation experiences of migrants, particularly healthcare workers such as nurses, remains scarce. This study aimed to provide a descriptive analysis of a deportation case involving a foreign-born intensive care nurse in Finland and examined the implications of this case for nursing education, the healthcare workforce, and government policies. Using a narrative case study approach, publicly available data from various sources, including mainstream and social media platforms, were analyzed. The nurse in this narrative left the country following disappointment with government officials, despite winning the deportation case. The findings of the study also revealed that the deportation decision faced by the foreign-born intensive care nurse has significant implications for nursing education, healthcare management, and government policies, indicating the need for necessary reforms. Intergovernmental collaboration is crucial to expedite the just and equitable processing of residence permits for highly skilled migrant health workers, promoting more effective government policies.