The lived experience of internationally educated nurses with developing intercultural competence in Ontario after watching communication vignettes

Internationally educated nurses (IEN s) are nurses who obtain their nursing license outside of Canada. IENs face many challenges when trying to transition into the Canadian healthcare system. This is largely due to their misunderstanding intercultural competence (ICC). The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of the IENs' lived experiences with developing ICC. Forty-six participants took part in focus group discussions based on culturally specific vignettes developed in congruence with the College of Nurses of Ontario Standards of Practice. Using hermeneutic phenomenology and secondary analysis three themes emerged from the data: navigating the headwater, propelling in a new direction and mapping the way. The above themes led to the emergence of the essential theme- confidence. The IENs rely on the confidence engrained in their 'old' knowledge in order to understand and develop their ICC. This study addresses the gap in research relating to IENs transition into Canadian nursing.