“I’m always gonna be fish out of water” – A qualitative exploration of Philippine-educated nurses in Ontario, Canada

Background: Filipinos are amongst the fastest growing visible minority groups in Canada (Laquian & Ma, 2021). Despite the huge number of highly-educated professionals from the Philippines in general, and the great number of Philippine-educated nurses (PENs) working within Canada’s healthcare system, we are not aware of any literature that specifically explored PENs’ experiences with workplace transitions or their employment trajectory and how these have impacted their labour outcomes. Objectives: Using PENs as our case study, our objective is to explore the employment trajectory of these IENs within Ontario’s labour landscape. Methods: Following receipt of research ethics clearance from the University of Windsor Research Ethics Board, we conducted in-depth interviews with 15 PENs. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was managed using ATLAS.ti 23, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2019) framework for thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were identified from participant interviews: 1) adversity and workplace challenges; 2) preparing for work and bridging education; 3) microaggression, stereotyping, discrimination, racism; and, 4) planning for the future. Future Applications/Directions: PENs encountered challenges starting their nursing career in Canada. With the ongoing global nursing shortage and the competition amongst high-income countries to recruit internationally educated nurses, there is an urgent need for governments and employers to provide sufficient and appropriate supports to this group of nurses to address the othering experienced by these nurses, to promote their retention in the workplace, and to avoid brain waste. Internationally educated nurses, broadly, should be encouraged in supported in advancing their careers in Canada.