Other Titles
Navigating New Horizons: Experiences of African Immigrant Nurses Transitioning to the American Healthcare System [Title Slide]
Abstract
Introduction: The global nursing shortage has driven a significant migration of African Immigrant nurses (AINs) to the United States. While AINs are essential to the U.S. healthcare workforce, they face considerable challenges, including cultural, professional, and emotional adjustments during their transition.
Methods: This study used a phenomenological approach guided by Ricoeur’s interpretive phenomenology framework to explore the lived experiences of AINs transitioning into the American healthcare system. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the primary investigator’s institution. Nineteen AINs working in various U.S. health institutions were selected through purposive sampling and participated in in-depth, unstructured interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted to capture the essence of their experiences.
Results: The participants include 13 females and 6 males originating from Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Tanzania, Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Liberia. Five main themes emerged: (1) Navigating an Unfamiliar Ground, with culture shock, language barriers, and differences in patient care standards; (2) Developing a Thriving Mindset, emphasizing resilience and social support; (3) Institutional Factors, such as mentorship and perceived racial biases; (4) Heavy Performance Demands; and (5) Leveraging Opportunities for Growth, including career progression and access to advanced technologies.
Discussion: AINs experience a complex transition into the U.S. healthcare system marked by challenges and growth opportunities. This study highlights the critical need for evidence-based transition programs to support AINs in adapting to the U.S. healthcare system. Targeted support interventions, such as cultural competence training, mentorship, and institutional support, are crucial for their successful integration and enhanced contribution to patient care.
Notes
References:
Baffour, F. (2024). “Coming to America: Exploring the Cross-Cultural Adaptation of African International Students at a PWI and HBCU in the U.S. South”. LSU Master’s Theses. 5912. https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/5912
Bayuo, J., Abboah-Offei, M., Duodu, P. A., & Salifu, Y. (2023). A meta-synthesis of the transitioning experiences and career progression of migrant African nurses. BMC nursing, 22(1), 104. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01273-1.
Chicca, J., & Bindon, S. (2019). New-to-Setting Nurse Transitions: A Concept Analysis. Journal for nurses in professional development, 35(2), 66–75. https://doi.org/10.1097/NND.0000000000000530.
Iheduru-Anderson K. (2020). Barriers to career advancement in the nursing profession: Perceptions of Black nurses in the United States. Nursing forum, 55(4), 664–677. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12483
Roth, C., Berger, S., Krug, K., Mahler, C., & Wensing, M. (2021). Internationally trained nurses and host nurses’ perceptions of safety culture, work-life-balance, burnout, and job demand during workplace integration: a cross-sectional study. BMC nursing, 20(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00581-8
Sigma Membership
Alpha Beta Gamma, Mu Phi at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Phenomenology
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Transition to Practice, Onboarding, Precepting, Workforce, Cultural Context and Care, African Immigrant Nurses, American Healthcare System
Recommended Citation
Nwozichi, Chinomso, "Experiences of African Immigrant Nurses Transitioning to the American Healthcare System" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 93.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/93
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-26
Experiences of African Immigrant Nurses Transitioning to the American Healthcare System
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Introduction: The global nursing shortage has driven a significant migration of African Immigrant nurses (AINs) to the United States. While AINs are essential to the U.S. healthcare workforce, they face considerable challenges, including cultural, professional, and emotional adjustments during their transition.
Methods: This study used a phenomenological approach guided by Ricoeur’s interpretive phenomenology framework to explore the lived experiences of AINs transitioning into the American healthcare system. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the primary investigator’s institution. Nineteen AINs working in various U.S. health institutions were selected through purposive sampling and participated in in-depth, unstructured interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted to capture the essence of their experiences.
Results: The participants include 13 females and 6 males originating from Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Tanzania, Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Liberia. Five main themes emerged: (1) Navigating an Unfamiliar Ground, with culture shock, language barriers, and differences in patient care standards; (2) Developing a Thriving Mindset, emphasizing resilience and social support; (3) Institutional Factors, such as mentorship and perceived racial biases; (4) Heavy Performance Demands; and (5) Leveraging Opportunities for Growth, including career progression and access to advanced technologies.
Discussion: AINs experience a complex transition into the U.S. healthcare system marked by challenges and growth opportunities. This study highlights the critical need for evidence-based transition programs to support AINs in adapting to the U.S. healthcare system. Targeted support interventions, such as cultural competence training, mentorship, and institutional support, are crucial for their successful integration and enhanced contribution to patient care.
Description
This study explores the experiences of African Immigrant Nurses (AINs) transitioning into the U.S. healthcare system. Interviews with 19 AINs revealed five themes: culture shock, resilience, mentorship, high performance demands, and growth opportunities. Challenges included language barriers and racial biases, while career advancement and technology access offered benefits. The study underscores the need for cultural competence mentorship, and institutional support for successful integration.