Experiences of overseas nurse educators teaching in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Education at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
2017
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Massey University
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Abstract
Globalisation and a shortage of registered nurses in New Zealand have caused an increase
in the number of overseas registered nurses and nurse educators migrating to New Zealand.
This phenomenological study explored the experiences of overseas nurse educators
teaching in New Zealand using van Manen’s approach to hermeneutic phenomenology. The
lived experiences of 17 overseas nurse educators were explored through in-depth
interviews, and phenomenological analytical procedures were utilised to bring to light the
hidden layers of meaning inherent within these experiences. The study revealed that
overseas nurse educators initially experienced a sense of non-belonging in New Zealand,
while their separation from their homeland and migration to a new country resulted in a
sense of disorientation. They experienced both physical and emotional separation from their
loved ones. Integration was the preferred method of adaptation to New Zealand among the
study participants. However, they wanted to choose which aspects of the new culture they
would adopt and to what extent they would adapt. A lack of preparation and a lack of
suitable orientation programmes prolonged the adaptation process of overseas nurse
educators. Time was a crucial factor for overseas nurse educators’ adjustment to the New
Zealand setting. Adjustment problems were greatest at the start. However, their lives
improved over time as they overcame the challenges they faced. Positive relationships had
a positive impact on overseas nurse educators’ adaptation to New Zealand. Adjustment was
dependent on the quality and quantity of the support received.
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Keywords
Nurse educators, Foreign workers, Acculturation, New Zealand, Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Education::Nursing education