Migrant Care Workers’ Perceptions of Their Working Conditions in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities

Abstract

Introduction: Staff shortages and retention are the major challenges in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). This study aimed to explore migrant care workers’ perceptions of job demands, their coping strategies, and employment intentions to leave or stay in the sector. Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with n = 20, RACF migrant care workers from Filipino, Indian, and Nigerian backgrounds in Perth, Western Australia, from April to December 2019. Data were thematically analyzed. Results: Motivating factors included the availability of care work in RACFs, and positive cultural norms associated with caring for older family members. Participants experienced a combination of resettlement and workplace challenges specifically, limited support network, communication challenges, and racial discrimination. Relevance to Practice: Work challenges that are compounded by post-migration stressors should be recognized and addressed in the design and implementation of the aged care workforce reforms to attract and retain migrant care workers.

The reported experiences of internationally qualified nurses in aged care: A scoping review

“…Only four studies explored experiences of IQN working exclusively in RN roles (Angus et al, 2021;Baluyot, 2019;Ham, 2021;Jenkins & Huntington, 2016). The remaining papers included IQN in a variety of roles including two papers of IQN working as an RN, Enrolled Nurse (EN), AIN or care worker (Adhikari & Melia, 2015;Pung et al, 2017); three papers of IQN working as AIN or care workers as a result of qualifications or skills not being recognized by the host country (Nursalam et al, 2020;Stuart, 2012;Yong & Manthorpe, 2016); and five papers of IQN working as RN, AIN or care workers, who were part of a broader participant group referred to a 'migrant workers' (Adebayo et al, 2021(Adebayo et al, , 2023Munkejord & Tingvold, 2019;Nichols et al, 2015;Schilgen et al, 2019).…”

“…While all 14 papers included IQN participants from CALD backgrounds, only 4 papers focused exclusively on IQN from a specific country or region: East African countries, India, Indonesia and Nepal (Adhikari & Melia, 2015;Ham, 2021;Nursalam et al, 2020;Yong & Manthorpe, 2016) with 5 papers including a mix of CALD participants from diverse backgrounds, for example, Africa, Asia (Adebayo et al, 2021(Adebayo et al, , 2023Angus et al, 2021;Jenkins & Huntington, 2016;Pung et al, 2017). Three papers included a mix of IQN with CALD backgrounds and IQN with European backgrounds as a part of a broad cultural mix (Baluyot, 2019;Munkejord & Tingvold, 2019;Nichols et al, 2015).…”

“…Communication challenges, racism and discrimination from colleagues and patients were reported by IQN. Ten of the 14 papers made specific mention of communication and language challenges that exacerbated workplace and transition stress (Adebayo et al, 2021(Adebayo et al, , 2023Angus et al, 2021;Baluyot, 2019;Ham, 2021;Nichols et al, 2015;Nursalam et al, 2020;Schilgen et al, 2019;Stuart, 2012;Yong & Manthorpe, 2016). For IQN from CALD backgrounds, communication and language challenges related to English language proficiency, navigating unfamiliar language patterns, feeling self-conscious when communicating and difficulty understanding accents (Adebayo et al, 2021(Adebayo et al, , 2023Angus et al, 2021;Baluyot, 2019;Nichols et al, 2015;Pung et al, 2017;Stuart, 2012).…”

“…In six studies, IQN of colour reported experiences of overt racism in aged care from elderly patients (Adebayo et al, 2023;Ham, 2021;Munkejord & Tingvold, 2019;Nichols et al, 2015;Schilgen et al, 2019;Stuart, 2012). These papers cite examples of participants' reporting racist remarks from elderly patients: 'Some of them will tell you to go back home, or you black this -you black that' (Nichols et al 2015, p. 26); and being called 'nigger' and told to 'get out of here' (Munkejord & Tingvold, 2019, p. 233).…”

“…Dementia care was identified as particularly unfamiliar terrain for IQN (Adebayo et al, 2023;Angus et al, 2021;Nichols et al, 2015;Stuart, 2012;Yong & Manthorpe, 2016). For example, Nichols et al (2015) report that an IQN participant from a CALD background indicated that they had no prior knowledge or experience of dementia.…”