The Experiences of Internationally Educated Nurses Transitioning to U.S. Nursing Practice

Internationally educated nurses (IENs) are recruited by U.S. healthcare organizations to fill staffing gaps. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore IENs' experiences during orientation and onboarding in a U.S. healthcare system. Four themes emerged from eight interviews: Theme 1, Orientation and Onboarding; Theme 2, Cultural Differences; Theme 3, Communication; and Theme 4, Coping and Adapting to be Successful. Findings identified barriers and facilitators in IENs' transition to U.S. nursing practice.