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. 2025 May;20(3):e70027.
doi: 10.1111/opn.70027.

A Scoping Review of the Experiences of Internationally Educated Nurses Working With Older Adults in High-Income Countries

Kristina M Kokorelias  1   2   3 , Marianne Saragosa  4 , Reham Abdelhalim  5 , Ann Vo  1
Affiliations

A Scoping Review of the Experiences of Internationally Educated Nurses Working With Older Adults in High-Income Countries

Kristina M Kokorelias et al. Int J Older People Nurs. 2025 May.

Abstract

Aim: To comprehensively review the experiences and support needs of internationally educated nurses in healthcare settings for older people, identify current supportive interventions for internationally educated nurses in gerontological nursing practice and determine research gaps in the existing literature on their experiences and support needs. The review includes all types of nurses, except those focusing solely on undergraduate nurses who have yet to practise and nursing assistants.

Methods: A scoping review by a Canadian review group followed the methodological framework outlined by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and later refined by Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien (2010). Articles of any publication date were included. A two-stage screening process was conducted independently to determine eligibility. Data extraction was performed using a piloted charting form. We also conducted a consultative exercise with Canadian nurses. Thematic and descriptive analyses were employed to analyse the extracted data.

Data sources: Seven databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, PsychArticles, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and EThOS) were systematically searched on April 27, 2024. Grey literature was searched using Google search engines, OpenGrey, ProQuest Sociological Abstracts and ProQuest ERIC, Healthcare Management Information Consortium, Open Grey repository, Proceedings First, Canada Health and Council for Allied Health Professions Research, and through expert consultation.

Results: The scoping review identified 11 articles from Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom, highlighting positive experiences and challenges internationally educated nurses face in healthcare settings for older people. Nurses were primarily registered nurses. Challenges included workplace interpersonal issues, language barriers and organisational constraints, while positive experiences included being valued by older adults and colleagues.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for supportive interventions like mentorship, cultural competency training and organisation-led initiatives to improve internationally educated nurses' integration and retention in geriatric care, enhancing care quality for older persons.

Implications for practice: Enhancing mentorship programs, cultural competency training, and organization-led support initiatives can improve the integration, retention, and overall well-being of internationally educated nurses in geriatric care, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for older adults.

Trial registration: osf.io/cwjem.

Keywords: care of older people; curriculum design; geriatric nursing; long‐term care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
2020 flow diagram for new systemic reviews. Indicated in the figure is a flow chart which is an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Source: Page et al. (2021), for more information, visit http://www.prisma‐statement.org/.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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