The Lived Experience of Internationally Recruited Nurses in Oman a Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Aim- The study aimed at exploring the lived experience of internationally recruited nurses in Oman that seeks to know how culture affects their adjustment process. The study also explored the acculturation that nurses undertake to adapt to a new culture from a personal and nursing perspective and the study also identified the support mechanisms that are in place to assist in the transition.Methods- The study is a qualitative phenomenological study defined as an approach to understanding people’s everyday life experience utilizing Collaizi’s 9 Phenomenological Steps. The samples were taken from four (4) major governorates in Oman namely Dhofar, Dhak​liya​, ​ ​North Batinah & Muscat. Out of 45 Nurses, 18 met the inclusion criteria and volunteered to undergo the structured phone interviews and conferences. Data Analysis was performed using the analytical software NVivo ver 12.Results-18 nurses consented to participate in the interview, most Internationally recruited nurses holding a bachelor's degree with an average age of 33.5 years. Most participants reported challenges in their transition to Oman upon being deployed. The primary area of concern arose from not having a structured ethical recruitment system and orientation programs. Conclusion- There is a need for a more systematic and ethical recruitment strategy that enhances IRN’s full integration into the host country’s social, religious, and cultural system. It was also found that language is an integral part of the IRN’s assimilation therefore the need for a formal and structured training and orientation program must be in place in both recruiting agencies and the catchment facilities in Oman