Empowering Nursing Newcomers Program Supporting Refugees and Migrants in Fast-Track Integration into Dutch Healthcare

What this Trial Is About

The shortage of nurses in the Netherlands is growing, with healthcare facing significant labor market gaps. This research focuses on the Empowering Newcomers Nurses program designed to help refugees and migrants with nursing or paramedical backgrounds integrate into the Dutch healthcare system. The study aims to understand how this program works, including its benefits, costs, and any challenges related to workplace inclusion and experiences of racial microaggressions. Participants in the program undertake a fast-track integration trajectory that includes vocational language and intercultural communication courses. Afterward, they work as assistant nurses while receiving guidance toward obtaining the necessary Dutch healthcare licensure. The program started at the University Medical Center Groningen and has expanded to multiple hospitals within the northern provinces. The study follows participants for up to 36 months to assess their progress and completion of the program. During the study, participants and their supervisors will share experiences through qualitative analyses, and the study will assess workplace inclusivity and any experiences of microaggressions. The research team will also evaluate the societal business case for the program over several years. Data on participants progress, integration stages, and employment situations will be collected, with ongoing assessments extending up to nine years after the study begins.

Empowering Nursing Newcomers Program