The project aims to understand and compare the experiences of career progression and retention among international nurses in Australia & UK.

This project is relevant to NSWNMA members as it concerns their career progression and retention. The project will benefit NSWNMA members as it will provide insights to members regarding career progression strategies. Additionally, NSWNMA can use these findings to advocate for better retention policies and practices in New South Wales. Lastly, the findings can be used to support policy changes that benefit nurses and midwives, ensuring their voices are heard in discussions about healthcare improvement.

Please find an assessment of the risks and benefits in promoting the project and how it relates to our strategic goals below:

Risks

There is no physical risk associated with this research. However, participants might experience some discomfort from answering some questions in the research. However, participants are free to skip some questions they do not feel comfortable with. Additionally, participants will be signposted to organisations that provide emotional and psychological support if needed.

Benefits

Voice: An active, engaged, and growing membership is essential for us to achieve our goals and strengthen our collective voice. Promotion and member involvement in research projects that meet our vision, mission and values is essential in giving our members a voice that can influence the direction of policy and procedures in the future to contribute to improvement of working conditions. Participation of our members in this research project provides them with an opportunity to have a voice in working remotely in the academic sphere. Improved conditions and awareness in this area of employment provides our membership with additional career pathways.

How we will win: Findings of the project will benefit nurses and midwives by providing evidence that potentially aids in improving their job satisfaction and improving retention of nurses. Retained nurses in the Australian health system implies that there will be enough nurses to care for patients which improves the quality of care delivered to patients and ultimately ensuring patient safety.

Who is carrying out the study?

The project is being led by Ransford Akrong. Ransford is a multidisciplinary researcher and currently a PhD student with the University of Huddersfield UK. He holds a master’s degree in development policies and practices and a bachelor’s degree in economics and information studies. Ransford has a lot of research experience in public health and health systems research. His most recent project sought to strengthen the regulation of nurses and midwives in Ghana.

The project is supported by Prof. Bibha Simkhada, a senior lecturer of nursing and a deputy director of education and Prof. Padam Simkhada, Dean of the School of Human and Health Sciences both at the University of Huddersfield UK. Prof. Bibha Simkhada has extensive experience in international nursing and global health workforce research as well as health systems research. Prof. Padama and Bibha have successfully supervised PhD students who have graduated in different health research. The rich experiences of the research team positions them to successfully conduct this research.

To complete the survey, visit the University of Huddersfield website.