Non-Maltese nurses and the patient experience : a case study at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta

Abstract

Recruiting nurses from outside the country is becoming more common nowadays in order to compensate for the shortage of nursing staff worldwide. One of a nurses’ greatest attributes in improving the patient experience, is the ability to communicate with patients effectively and empathetically. In healthcare interactions, language, culture and religion can also have a significant impact. It affects how an individual perceives an illness or therapy. The aim of this study conducted at Mater Dei Hospital, in Malta is to gain information on the patient's experience with foreign nurses and whether their experience while being hospitalised is affected by foreign nurses, and how. This research study includes an overview of the patients’ experience with foreign nurses. A qualitative research design is used throughout the whole study. Convenience sampling is applied, and 8 participants are chosen and contacted via an intermediary and are provided with consent forms and information letters regarding the interviews. Data is collected through semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions which are held in a quiet setting in the ward itself. The difference in language between the foreign nurse and the patient is highlighted as a major issue affecting the patient. Culture and religion also impact the patient’s experience. In conclusion, it was tentatively found that the patient’s experience is mainly affected by language. Having foreign nurses does help with the shortage of staff but it also affects the patients experience while they are hospitalised.