Why Focus On Diversity in Nursing: A Global Nurse Pipeline Leads to Less Turnover and Improved Patient Safety
Diversity is a buzzword nowadays, and for a good reason. Communities such as schools and workplaces embrace the fact that every person, regardless of their background, possesses human dignity and therefore deserves respect. Acceptance in the form of embracing people’s differences gives new life to the world in the current era. A person who feels accepted and regarded can do great things, and this positive vibe is what a community can bank on.
Currently, there is a movement to raise diversity in nursing. Especially since nurses in the US come from various corners of the globe, it’s only the next move to highlight the multitude of cultures and backgrounds brought about by this influx of nurses into America. How does diversity in nurses help with the causes of your medical facility, particularly with patient safety and reduced turnovers?
International Nurses Will Surely Work Hard Once Employed in The US
The US needs to welcome 1.1 million new nurses into the healthcare community by this year to support the incoming demands of hospitals and other medical facilities. This need for nurses is the opportune time for nursing professionals outside of the country to look into being employed as immigrant nurses in the US.
One thing is for sure about these aspiring nurses: they will not let this opportunity slip by and will work really hard to maintain it once it is achieved. With the rest of the world as their competition in grabbing a job vacancy in the US, they know the struggle of not only looking for a job but also a job outside their home country.
The USA is the ultimate career destination for nurses across the globe. In 2018 alone, at least 2.6 million immigrants entered the country to work in the healthcare industry, with a great deal of them as registered nurses. This is not surprising news because building one’s career and getting paid for it is a dream that can definitely come true in the USA for any immigrant.
Back in 2019, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics mentioned that the average annual salary of nurses was $73,300. This was not even during the pandemic. Because of the growing demand for nurses in the US, hospitals and similar companies are raising nurses’ salaries just to entice the community to shift to nursing.
With the many possibilities for career growth and prosperity, immigrant nurses will truly give their full effort to promoting patient safety. Nurses from other countries understand that the chance given to them to work in the so-called Land of Opportunities is one many are vying for.
Immigrant Nurse’s Diverse Experience and Backgrounds Will Work Well With Any Patient
A global nursing pipeline will mean your healthcare facility will have medical professionals with different viewpoints on handling healthcare. Many hospitals in the US chose to employ international nurses to battle COVID19 because these countries have had experiences with outbreaks.
Nurses in Asia, for example, paid witness to the onslaught of SARS back in 2003. As for the nurses from Africa, they are well aware of the menacing Ebola virus, which was the headline last 2015. Coming from countries that were victims of such illnesses created awareness within their own nursing communities about how to intercept widespread infections. While COVID19 has not yet been weathered, the need for a global nursing pipeline is still well-relevant.
Also, nurses from other countries will surely bring their local flare into their jobs. Take the Filipino nurse, for example. The Philippines is known to be a heartwarming and welcoming country. While this local trait is well-represented in the tourism industry, this is why the Philippines is an utmost choice when sourcing nurses. Well enough, 92,277 nurses have fled from the Philippines from 2012 to 2017.
Diversity In Nursing Will Break Barriers That Hinder Superior Patient Care
While the current nursing community in the US is still predominantly white, it is projected by the United States Census Bureau that 50 percent of Americans in 2044 will belong to minorities. As many individuals would like to move into the country to gain citizenship and live the good life the country can provide, this diversity in race and ethnicity will soon be evident in hospitals as well, particularly with its patients.
Moreover, the lack of diversity in hospitals is actually putting more harm to patient trust, particularly those who identify to be in a minority. For example, Black communities refuse to approach doctors who are not “like them”, out of fear of being mistreated. In a study, a respondent narrates that because of this misconception that Black patients feel less pain than others, the respondent spent time looking for a Black doctor, because they do not have time to “prove they are in pain.”
Worries from being mistreated are not the only barriers that a diverse community of nurses will shatter. Language barriers can be bridged and will pave the way for clearer communication between nurses and their patients. Better connections will improve accuracy with patient concerns, medicine dosages, and general schedules. And at the very least, you would like to be taken care of by someone who is “like you.” This comfort in knowing nurses can relate to their patient’s experiences more easily is key to improving patient safety.
Diversity In Hospitals Improves Employee Morale
A survey revealed that three out of four workers prefer a diverse company. With the world recognizing that differences are not hindrances, it’s only appropriate for hospitals and similar companies to embrace diversity in their workforce and eventually diversity in nursing. Fostering a stronger feeling of inclusion by promoting diversity in nursing is empowering, as it sends a message that anyone is welcome to the healthcare facility.
This feeling of inclusion will have its effects on employee satisfaction and the improvement of their quality of work. Patients who see nurses who can relate to them easily will soon translate to improved services, better profit for the company, and eventually, higher nurse retention rates.
Furthermore, training culturally competent nurses will allow them to reach out to any patient regardless of their race or ethnicity. This kind of training can easily be mastered by international nurses, who understand that their entrance into the country will undoubtedly highlight that they are a minority. However, preparing them to be culturally competent makes them feel more adept at serving as a nurse in the right company. This will lead to better employee retention.
LET PRS GLOBAL HELP YOU IN BUILDING YOUR INTERNATIONAL NURSING WORKFORCE.
If any staffing partner is to provide an answer to why diversity is important in nursing, PRS Global will probably give the best one. Built by a team of healthcare operators and care providers dedicated to transforming lives, we understand how cultural diversity in nursing will bring about the best in people, may it be the nurses we hire or the patients they serve.
Through effective global sourcing, you can count on us to provide you with your first steps to achieving a diverse global nursing pipeline. Contact us now to allow the influences of nurses across the world to take part in your crusade towards better healthcare for all.