Challenges facing overseas nurses practicing in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has prioritised health care, resulting in an excellent health care system for the country. Improvements, however, have been hindered by a serious shortage of qualified nurses. This can be attributed to the poor image of nursing held in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East because of cultural and religious believes. In this context Saudi Arabia has looked overseas for qualified nurses. However the employment of overseas qualified nurses in Saudi Arabia has given rise to challenges for both to the health care system and the nurses themselves. This study aimed to explore the problems and challenges experienced by a group of Overseas Qualified Nurses (OQNs) who had worked in the King Fahad Medical City for a period of more than two years. The study employed a qualitative, phenomenological design to assist in understanding the experiences of twenty-three (23) OQNs nurses who provide nursing care to Saudi patients. Thematic analyses were used as the data analysis technique.