Project
PHAISE – International Nursing Workforce Policy and Practice Research Collaboration
Unit(s) of assessment: Social Work and Social Policy
School: School of Social Sciences
About PHAISE
The PHAISE (Policy - Health - Assimilation - International - Support - Education) programme/project has developed through the weaving together of a number of different research, policy and practice strands of this extensive collaboration.
As a collaboration we have seen the need to better understand and explore a variety of issues and factors at play across UK nursing with a specific focus on the experiences and role of international nurses. The programme/project will draw together these strands to make a tangible difference for international nurses and the organisations and communities they work with.
Addressing the challenge
The programme has started by identifying challenges for individuals, organisations and the nursing system in the UK and beyond. NTU and Nottingham University Hospital Trust began by exploring culture through a number of Policy Lab projects with our MA in Public Policy cohort. The first of these was with two students and staff members who explored the international nursing recruitment process and cultural experiences and expectations.
Over the last three years, NUH has been collaborating with the Policy Lab to produce findings that are translatable into both policy and practice within a healthcare setting. This work has enabled masters students to help shape the debate on international nurse recruitment and development.
Over the last 18 months this collaboration has grown to include other research, healthcare providers and experts in policy with the aim of bringing together collective learning and sharing this with a wider community.
Since that initial project the work has grown to include colleagues from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Coventry University, University of Birmingham University, East London NHS Foundation Trust, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and an independent international education consultant who have all been working on this topic in their own ways.
Since connecting, we have developed of a number of projects including a literature review, a stakeholder mapping exercise, a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement project and a series of policy briefs and academic journal abstracts. The aim of this work is to explore and enhance the experiences of and for nurses from an international background.
People
- Dr Analisa Smythe - Nurse Researcher at the The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Birmingham Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, Visiting Fellow Staffordshire University and Nottingham Trent University
- Dr Jon Gorry – Head of Department for Social and Political Sciences at Nottingham Trent University
- Dr Eva Zemandl – Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Department of Social and Political Sciences Nottingham Trent University
- Daphne Laing - Independent consultant: International education and cultural understanding
- Professor Ann-Marie Cannaby – Pro-Vice Chancellor for Health at Coventry University
- Professor Anne Topping – Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery at Birmingham University
- Noah Horne – East London NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Louise Bramley – Assistant Director of Nursing, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Aquiline Chivinge MBE – Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Kevamae Sobers – Diabetes Specialist Nurse, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust
- Rich Pickford – Manager of Nottingham Civic Exchange, NTU
- Professor Jayne Brown
Making a difference
This multi-organisational cross-disciplinary team is already working to support a more integrated, supportive and valued nursing community in the UK but they recognise that more can be done.
By bringing together our knowledge, skills, experience, and enthusiasm we believe we can improve the experience and wellbeing of nurses and enhance patient outcomes by identifying and removing barriers, realising peoples' potential, supporting them to flourish and progress.
Current projects
This NTU IKEP funded knowledge exchange project aims to improve knowledge and understanding of the concrete and social needs of incoming Internationally Trained Nurses (ITNs), and how best to facilitate their integration into clinical teams. Currently, we have a good understanding of the experiences of ITNs in the UK through the work of partners, yet there is limited connection between these experiences, the experiences of those who ITNs work with, and those who set relevant policy. This KE project will work to share this knowledge and develop ways of moving policy forward for this key sector of the workforce.
Our project will host a series of five locally hosted workshops that bring together those professionals who work with ITNs to understand and map the differences and gaps between ITNs, their fellow domestically trained nurses and policy makers. These sessions will build on our current knowledge to create practice informed recommendations to take to: a) individual health trusts, b) NHS England, and c) DHSC to ensure ‘best’ ITN policy and practice. This will in turn provide information and guidance concerning the needs and concerns of ITNS, which will help recruiters, employers and nursing colleagues understand the issues most frequently encountered and what works in creating better support and policy.
PPIE work funded by the Research Design Service (RDS) has been carried out exploring patient and public perceptions through a face-to-face and online round table discussion. The Findings have informed our research objectives.
NTU has worked with Nottingham University Hospitals Trust to explore international nursing in the UK for three work packages over the last academic years. We are currently recruiting for the fourth session in the 2023/24 academic year. Our current proposal will be exploring the impacts of tests on new nurses and how the legislation, policy and practice play a role. The outputs of the Policy Lab projects are currently being developed into research outputs to support future knowledge exchange and learning.
The challenges and needs of international nurses who are assimilating to healthcare systems in the United Kingdom: Experience from the field
Daphne Laing and Analisa Smythe
International Nursing Review - December 2024
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/inr.13078
Contact us
We are currently exploring a range of opportunities to develop this project including funded research, PhDs and partnerships. Reach out for more information by emailing Jon Gorry.