Abstract:

This paper will discuss the facilitation of overseas nurses wishing to gain registration. It will offer the historical context of the development of the overseas nurse’s programme in the United Kingdom (UK) and the challenges that needed to be addressed including cultural, legal, ethical, linguistic and clinical to ensure that nurses are fit for practice and purpose.

The aim of the programme is to assist overseas nurses to transfer and apply knowledge and understanding in a UK health care context, acknowledging the social, cultural and political factors affecting the delivery of care. It encourages them to think critically and analytically thus allowing them to make sound clinical judgments across a range of differing professional and care delivery contexts, safely and competently so assume the responsibilities and accountabilities necessary for public protection.

In developing the programme it is important that nurses are able to respond to the needs of different client groups across a variety of healthcare settings which requires effective communication, interpersonal skills, multi professional working, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating effective care. Legal, ethical and quality issues, including: accountability, informed consent, confidentiality, practitioner client relationships, respect and dignity for clients, carers and their families, record keeping and clinical governance.

As the course is predominately clinical this necessitated clinical staff to undergo mandatory mentorship preparation to ensure overseas nurses achieve the proficiencies as stated by the UK nursing governing body.

Keywords:

Cultural diversity, communication, mentorship preparation, teaching and learning strategies, staff development.