Sacrifices, benefits and surprises of internationally qualified nurses migrating to New Zealand from India and the Philippines.

Internationally qualified nurses constitute 25% of New Zealand's registered nurse workforce, and these numbers are expected to grow as the New Zealand ageing population expands. The Nursing Council of New Zealand registrations for 2016 showed that 55% of internationally qualified nurses were from the Philippines and 20% were from India. However, little thought is given to how these nurses integrate into New Zealand culture. The aim of this study was to examine the sacrifices, perceived benefits and surprises of internationally qualified nurses from the Philippines and India on their migration to New Zealand. This was an explanatory sequential mixed methods study. Internationally qualified nurses from the Philippines and India (n=61) were recruited to participate in a survey, the results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Many of the significant themes were then explored through a focus group (n=4) and this information was analysed using a qualitative descriptive design. The results of this study aligned with previous research with the most significant sacrifices being borrowing money, careers on hold and separation from family. The most significant benefits were better wages, increased status and opportunities. However, some surprises were evident, such as adjusting to variable weather, the friendly nature of the people and Māori culture. The long process to gain nursing registration in New Zealand was both surprising and a sacrifice. These insights may help policy and training around dissipating culture shock on arrival to New Zealand, and gives those working with internationally qualified nurses an insight into their experiences and motivation for migrating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]