The lived experience of overseas black and minority ethnic nurses in the NHS in the south of England

The NHS has always depended heavily on the recruitment of black and minority ethnic nurses from overseas. Recent international recruitment strategies have resulted in attracting a new influx of overseas nurses who, like their predecessors, make a significant contribution to healthcare in England. In the study reported here, a phenomenological approach was used to examine the lived experiences of 12 nurses who originated from the Philippines, South Africa, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa and who had recently been recruited to work in the NHS in the south of England. Semi-structured interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Van Manen’s analytical framework to reveal eight themes: differences in nursing practice, adjustment to a new environment, differences in communication, absence of support, discrimination, lack of equal opportunity, bullying and separateness. Overall the findings showed that the nurses were marginalised and felt excluded. This paper concludes by arguing that overseas black and minority ethnic nurses should be treated with respect but, more importantly, that social justice and equality should be principles that are inherent in the NHS.